You Have His Gift of Peace (14:25-31)
Shalom–peace–is a precious word to the Jewish people. It means much more than just the absence of war or distress. Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense. When you are enjoying God’s peace, there is joy and contentment. But God’s peace is not like the “peace” that the world offers.
The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. To be right with God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for, but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power, the Holy Spirit.
People in the world walk by sight and depend on the externals, but Christians walk by faith and depend on the eternals. The Spirit of God teaches us the Word and guides us (not drags us!) into the truth. He also reminds us of what He has taught us so that we can depend on God’s Word in the difficult times of life. The Spirit uses the Word to give us His peace (John 14:27), His love (John 15:9-10), and His joy (John 15:11). If that does not calm a troubled heart, nothing will!
Again, Jesus assured them that they would see Him again (John 14:28). Why rejoice because He returned to the Father? Because His return made possible His wonderful intercessory ministry on our behalf, our great High Priest in heaven (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:14-16). We have the Spirit within us, the Savior above us, and the Word before us! What tremendous resources for peace!
In John 14:30-31, the Lord named two of our great spiritual enemies–the world and the Devil. Jesus overcame the world and the Devil (John 12:31), and the Devil has no claim on Him. There is no point in Jesus Christ where the Devil can get a foothold. Since we are “in Christ,” Satan can get no foothold in the believer’s life, unless we permit it. Neither Satan nor the world can trouble our hearts if we are yielded to the “peace of God” through the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus said, “My Father is greater than I” (John 14:28), He was not denying His own deity or His equality with God, for then He would have been contradicting Himself (John 10:30). When Jesus was here on earth, He was necessarily limited by having a human body. He voluntarily laid aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes and submitted Himself to the Father. In that sense, the Father was greater than the Son. Of course, when the Son returned to heaven, all He had laid aside was restored once again (John 17:1, 5).
Jesus showed His love for the Father (and for the world) by voluntarily going to the cross. He did not hide or flee. He willingly laid down His life. He and the disciples may have left the upper room at this point (John 14:31) so that what Jesus said from that point on was spoken on the way to the garden. Or, they may have arisen from the table and lingered awhile as He instructed them. We can easily imagine the allegory of the vine being given as they walked that night through the vineyards.
His own perfect peace assures us that He alone can give true peace. Jesus was always the Master of the situation, and He enables us to take control of our lives as we surrender to Him and receive His legacy of peace.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
- What are some things that trouble you?
- Read John 13:36–14:31. What troubled the disciples? Why?
- How did Jesus make heaven real to the disciples?
- Does looking forward to heaven help to calm you when you’re troubled? Why or why not?
- What does it mean to know the Father?
- Would you say you know the Father? Explain.
- God’s conditions for answering prayer are praying in faith, praying in Christ’s name, and praying in obedience. Which of these, if any, is hard for you, and how?
- What does this passage teach us about the Holy Spirit?
- How can the Holy Spirit help us when we’re troubled?
- Why did Jesus emphasize the relationship between loving Him and obeying Him?
- How will you be obedient this week?