Nougat 26

Are you more of a worrier or a prayer warrior? Today’s Holy Nougat offers solid food for thought

““Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Glorious Peace

Not only is it our inheritance, but it is also a command. It would be safe to say that Jesus references Peace thrice, as His act of distinguishing it from what the world offers implies that Peace is once again the subject. This must therefore be extremely significant for Jesus to place such emphasis. A deeper look might be worthwhile.

In preparing the disciples for His pending Trial and Crucifixion, Jesus gave them His ‘State of the Union’ address. The chapter thus begins with a cryptic message about mansions and preparation of same. His disciples must have been confused, trying to make sense of what was happening. He had washed their feet, announced his betrayal and denial previously (in chapter 13); then instructed, rather commanded the bewildered disciples to take all that in stride as He would keep them safe on His return (14:1-4).

That would be the equivalent of the leader of any para/military group telling the troops, I’m going to be captured because one of you will be a counter-operative and no one will rescue me. But don’t worry, you’re going to be fine while I’m in captivity because I’m going to finalize the plan to overthrow the enemy when I’m captured. So don’t worry about me getting captured – although you’ll be left behind until I get back.

For most of us – That Is So Not What We Want To Hear!!!! Especially when at that point our commander hasn’t really been proven as a 5-star general! A coup that is not a coup, that results in the general’s capture that is unintentional but planned? Yes. I would need God’s peace – of mind just to wrap my head around all that.

But having seen all that was promised come to pass, and faced with the present danger of being one of the general’s loyalists, I’d be worried for my life. Even if I remembered the explanation, the general was captured, and I was left behind. No wonder Peter denied Jesus. From his vantage point, Jesus willingly put Himself in the enemy’s hands and was ready to die. How could that foster Peace? The disciples definitely needed to inherit Peace to tide them over – if only until their general returned.

It wasn’t Peace through superior fire power. They were able to be out and about, but needed to keep a low profile. The uncertainty would wreak havoc with their entire being. Truly, they would need a special kind of Peace to cope.

In Jewish tradition, Peace (εἰρήνη, irenay) referred to the wholistic restoration of all aspects of one’s self and this was what Jesus offered – plus God! By asserting His identity, rather His oneness with God, Jesus was not pointing the disciples to pray for Peace, He was fulfilling prophecy and assuring them that He IS the Prince of Peace (see Isaiah 9:6-7)of the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17). That’s absolutely supernatural!

And that same Peace is offered to us in ALL we face today. Our General, now proven celestial-star General, is not only God, but in Heaven WITH God ensuring that it will be well. We just have to take His Word for it, based on past actions.

Will we receive His Peace today?

—

May all we seek be found in Christ