In John 14:2 we see Jesus telling his disciples “There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” The disciples had followed Jesus for the three years of his earthly ministry, but this is where it was time for Jesus to leave. Yes, Jesus was going to prepare a place for them – for all of us actually. He wanted to them to know that he would come back once all preparations were in place. He also wanted to assure them that he wasn’t leaving them alone either. He told his disciples about the Holy Spirit – a Helper – the Spirit of truth – who would come and be with them forever. “The world cannot accept him, because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you know him because he lives with you and he will be in you.” (Jon 14:17 NCV)
Jesus knew what was in store for the week ahead and is trying to prepare his disciples. “I leave you peace; my peace I give you.” (John 14:27) But peace wouldn’t be the only thing he would give them, and it wouldn’t be just any peace. “My peace” he told them. WOW. Think about it, the God of the Universe in human form promised he would give HIS PEACE to his followers. Look closely at the verse; He doesn’t give peace as the world gives peace. Have you ever thought about how the world gives peace? When I think about this, I think about the advertiser’s concept of having to “keep up with the Joneses” to have peace and happiness. But that is not the peace we have witnessed in the word of God.
The peace Jesus gives
- surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)
- can calm the most treacherous storm (Matthew 8:26)
- assures that He will be with us on top of every mountain and in the lowest of valleys (Psalm 139)
We can rest in the peace Jesus brings knowing He carried the sin of the world on his shoulders. He forever cancelled the debt of sin for all when he was nailed to the cross and died. We can also have peace in knowing that he didn’t let DEATH stop him, he ROSE AGAIN and sits at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34) interceding for you and for me. Just as he told his disciples, we can have PEACE knowing that he will come back for us and we will be with him for ETERNITY.
How peaceful will that be?
This week as you go about your daily activities try to set aside time to thank Jesus for who he is and for what he did you for you that day on Calvary. Thank him for the PEACE that only he can give – and then TRUST in that PEACE. No matter where you are on your walk with him or what you have going on in your life right now – know that you have a Savior who loves you more than anything (John 3:16) and is still preparing your place in heaven.
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