The Power of Peace

During these turbulent times [Spring, 2020 — Coronavirus pandemic], what most people need is peace. Countries where people are suffering from war are desperate for peace. People who are facing sickness or loss of income are looking for peace of mind. But when Jesus talked of peace, what sort of peace was He referring to? Consider the following two verses from the book of John: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 This is a quality of peace that is not of this world, but such as exists in the Kingdom of God. The sort of supernatural peace that Jesus could lay fast asleep in the back of a boat that was about to sink in the midst of a tempst. The sort of peace that He remained silent in the face of His accusers as the cross lay before Him. This is the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” as Philippians 4:7 explains, because it’s not of this world. But Jesus wanted the disciples to experience the Kingdom and that’s why He taught them to pray “Thy Kingdom come…on earth as it is in Heaven.” Fear is one of the main tools of the enemy, one of his “devices” that we are not to be ignorant of (2 Cor. 2:11). And when the heart and mind are full of fear, they cannot be at peace. There is no fear in the Kingdom, and that’s why peace reigns there. Faith and trust are critical factors in replacing fear with peace. In the world men tend to worry, fret, and fear. Jesus did not promise a problem-free life, and in fact He forewarned His disciples that “in the world ye shall have tribulation”. But through it all, He was training them to keep their eyes on Him, to be “in Him” regardless of what sort of troubled times they might be facing. And in Acts 5:41 the disciples “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” They were learning Kingdom ways. How well do you sleep when you are facing troubled times? He has promised us peace. We just need to receive it. More examples of Kingdom peace: (Luke 1:13)  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (Luke 1:30)  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (Luke 2:10)  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 5:10)  And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (Mark 4:39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mat 10:28)  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Luke 8:50)  But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. (Luke 12:7)  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:32)  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [We can see that Jesus’s disciples were often overcome by fear when He himself was at complete peace. This is something we all need to learn when confronted by the difficult times that are to come.] (Mt. 26:63) But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. [After His resurrection, when the disciples were obviously feeling sad and troubled after all that had happened, He wanted them to experience His type of peace.] (Luke 24:36) And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19) Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. [Peace, to replace the fear they were experiencing.] (John 20:21) Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. [This reassurance that it was Jesus sending them out to do His will, even as the Father had sent Him, surely must have brought them great peace.] (John 20:26) And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. (Acts 10:36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Act 27:24)  Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. When Jesus was confronted by the scribes and Pharisees who were continually following Him trying to find fault with Him or catch Him in His words, most of the time he responded calmly and directly. He only got irritated and finally lashed out at them when righteous anger rose up in Him!