Nougat 27

Having covered the three peace’s yesterday it’s hard to think that today’s Holy Nougat is related to Peace yet again

““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

No Fear

The disciples, and by extension us, were offered Peace for the rough journey ahead, God’s Peace manifested through Jesus Christ, God’s Peace that is immanent (within our grasp, tangible) yet transcendent (outside the human realm). Nevertheless, Jesus followed up with the command ‘don’t be troubled or afraid.’ So what does that mean for us?

Do not be troubled

‘Sekkl yuhself man, everything criss an curry!’, ‘Don’t worry about a thing, for every little thing is gonna be alright!’, ‘Fear not …’ All these invite us to realize that God’s desire is for us to not be anxious. In Greek this is rooted in Μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ (pronounced tarasso) which is agitation or stirred up. I don’t know about you, but I definitely have been in a state of agitated fear, worry or stress, almost to the extent of losing my focus on Jesus. Jesus’ words kept me and invited me away from agitation.

We know that after His death and prior to His resurrection, the disciples were in that space. (I know they were there from the trial, but I focus there given the interplay of time in yesterday’s reflection). What agitates you right now? Is God offering Peace that soothes the agitated tremors of the heart? By God’s Spirit, receive God’s Peace.

Do not be afraid

The theme of Peace is a staple in the biblical narrative from Genesis through to Revelation. And right alongside the theme is the command to not be afraid. Afraid in this context relates to being timid or cowardly (in Greek, the term is δειλιάω, pronounced deleeaho). This was the command to Joshua, Moses’ successor, and it was the word to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth. In my mind, their fear (being sore afraid in KJV) was about timidity in seeing the otherworldly beings. When caught between the devil and the deep Red Sea (the sea of reeds), the angel’s word was ‘be at Peace.’

What is it that is moving our bowels to fearfulness, that strikes terror in our innermost being? The author of Psalm 91 reminds us that we don’t need to be afraid of the terrors by day or night. And so does Jesus. Will we take Him up on this command?

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May all we seek be found in Christ