His Peace, Our Peace
Peace. Who among us doesn’t long for the state of mind and heart that is quiet and calm? A place where our inner being is as tranquil and undisturbed as a quiet lake?
Peace is universally desired—the personal, interpersonal, and international varieties of it. The worldwide quest for peace accounts for a fair share of the trillions of dollars spent in our world on prescription drugs and medical care. If it could be packaged and purchased, it would be one of the hottest commodities ever.
How we long for the day when the earth and, indeed, the entire universe will be renewed, and peace will be the portion of all (Romans 8:21, Revelation 21:4). Yet even now our backs aren’t ultimately against the wall. Our quest for true peace doesn’t have to meet an inevitable dead end.
One of the names for the promised One in Isaiah 9:6 is “Prince of Peace.” Jesus Christ was, and is, that promised Prince. He is the true source of lasting peace. Several incidents in the Gospels illustrate this.
Peace, Be Still
In Mark 4:35–41, when Jesus and His followers were making their way across the Sea of Galilee, they encountered a severe storm (v. 37). Jesus was asleep. His disciples were alarmed and fear-filled both before and after Jesus stilled the storm (vv. 40–41). With the words, “Peace! Be still” (v. 39 NIV)—which The Message renders, “Quiet! Settle down!” The wind and water were chastened.
Nearly one hundred fifty years ago, Mary Ann Baker penned the words to the hymn “Peace Be Still” based on Mark’s account of Jesus’ miracle that night.
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies:
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will.
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
In the very next chapter, Jesus encountered disruptions of a different kind. A man under the control of unseen demonic forces (Mark 5:1–20); a woman plagued by unceasing bleeding (vv. 24–34); a pre-teen girl prematurely gripped by death surrounded by grieving family and friends (vv. 21–23, 35–43). Each faced disrupting difficulties. But each experienced peace—in mind and body and spirit—because the peace of Jesus became theirs.
As we navigate the turbulence of life, Jesus remains the ultimate source of peace to sustain us. The presence and power of the Prince of Peace can counter the storms we face like nothing else can. In our search for wholeness, we must make sure that Jesus is sought first and foremost. He can be trusted by those who seek Him.
Disciples in Turmoil
Words can disturb our peace, make us anxious, send us places in our hearts and minds that we’d rather not go. On the eve of His death, Jesus had gathered those closest to Him to share intimately with them. During the mealtime in John 13, several sets of disturbing words came from the mouth of Jesus.
“Deeply troubled” in his spirit, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” (v. 21).
As if the news of His betrayal wasn’t enough, Jesus then spoke of His departure. “Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going” (v. 33).
Finally, on that fateful evening, Jesus spoke unwelcome words to Peter when He said, “I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (v. 38).
This was the emotion-filled setting in which Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me” (John 14:1).
Priceless Peace
John 14 offers a snapshot of the priceless peace we long for. Its source is Jesus. He bequeaths it to His followers, to whom He promised His Spirit (vv. 15–17). It is medicine for troubled hearts and an antidote for fear. The peace that Jesus offers is for those who understand His worth—those who recognize the limitations of “less-than-Jesus” remedies.
One day, because of Christ’s victory, the whole world will experience the true peace we all long for—shalom, the state of being in which wholeness and flourishing is the portion of all. We wait in eager expectation and longing for that day.
But as we wait, we cling to the reality that true peace can already be enjoyed in Jesus, God’s Son. And that’s a gift to be treasured. Among Jesus’ final words to His disciples that night is this comforting promise: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (v. 27).
