“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 (NIV)
These are the words of Jesus before He returned to heaven. He left a parting gift with us. His peace.
If all is going well, the world has peace; but we can have His peace no matter what happens.
The giver offers the gift, yet cannot be sure it will be received and enjoyed. Jesus left the gift of peace, but we can take it or leave it.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
It may seem impossible to always live in peace, but no matter what goes on around us, we choose the condition of our hearts.
Here is John 14:27 the Amplified version:
“Peace I leave with you: My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed: and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]”
How about one more version. Here’s the Message:
“I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”
When we remember Who our Father is and all Jesus has done for us, choosing a peaceful heart is possible.
Peace is ours. Straight from Jesus.