Stephan Hoffman

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

Jesus prepares his disciples for the fact that he would be crucified, would arise from the dead and ascend to heaven. He does not want the disciples to be frightened or upset. He assured them that he was going to prepare a place for them with the Father. He also promised them he would ask God to send another advocate to them – the Spirit of truth. The Spirit will live with them and be in them. He will not leave them behind as orphans. Jesus promises to come back and take them to be with him.  All he asks is that they will love Him (v21).

The peace that Jesus leaves with us is not the false peace of the world, but true peace between God and man and peace between people. It's a kind of peace that is not driven by fear, but originates from true love.

Sometimes it feels as if God is distant from us.  Perhaps you also sometimes feel like an orphan in this world? We can be assured of God's presence among us, through the Holy Spirit who guides, comforts and strengthens us.  God will never leave you alone. Even though our love falls short, God's love and faithfulness abounds for us. We can live with this perspective that Jesus will one day come and take us to live with the Father.

Jesus also left us true peace. He reconciled the relationship between God, humankind and nature, which was broken by our own selfishness and sin. There on the cross at Golgotha he also healed your relationship with God. He has broken open the grave for you and prepared the way to eternal life.

This knowledge can lead you to experience true peace. A true peace that is beyond all understanding.  A kind of peace that only God can give.

Come let us live anew with this expectation and hope in our Lord. Come let us share this gift of the peace that has been given to us with everyone that crosses our path.  Come let us show others the way to God, through Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you never leave me alone. Thank you that you love me so much that through Jesus Christ you reconciled the relationships broken by my selfishness.  Help me to live out this perfect and true peace in the world, until you come again. Amen