“The Perfect Peace Under Pressure”

John 14: 27-31 (NRSVUE)

December 8, 2024

Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

Introduction: Peace is one of those words that is used without a clear understanding. We all have a different concept about what peace looks like. It can mean freedom from disturbance; tranquility: a state or period in which there is no war, or a war has ended, used as a friendly greeting, or used as an order to remain silent. Slain, peace out or deuces. As Christians, it is important to understand how the Bible describes peace. In Hebrew, the word for peace is shalom. Throughout the Bible, shalom is used in several ways. When people are feeling physically well, others say that they “are shalom” (Genesis 29:6). People who have shalom with God have his protection and blessing (Numbers 25:12). People who have friendships with each other or have recently reconciled, have shalom with each other—peaceful relationship. Shalom with God in the Old Testament is an inner state that comes from trusting in him (Isaiah 26:3). Peace refers to wholeness in our relationship with God.

Scriptural Text: Here in John’s gospel, Jesus predicts his own story the night before Jesus’ suffering. This was his burden for his followers the night before his suffering. “Peace,I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Humanity lost peace with God when sin entered the world putting us in conflict with God. Jesus reconciled our broken relationship with God that we can make peace with our creator. He would bring peace by ending the reign of oppression and rebellion. He talked about peace on several occasions. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that peacemakers are blessed and will be called God’s sons (Matthew 5:9). The peace that Jesus offered was something new for the disciples, it was different. It was exciting and comforting to hear as they sat over dinner knowing he was leaving. Verse 28b speaks of joy. “If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” “And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe[have faith!].” This is what he is aiming at just before he suffers. I want you to have peace. I want you to be deeply joyful. I want you to believe in what I say and what I do—to have unshakable faith. I want you to have the kind of peace that I give, not the world. The kind of joy that I give, not the world. The kind of faith I give, not the world. Let Jesus put his peace and his joy and his faith in you the way he was doing this for his followers that night. The prophet Isaiah makes a birth announcement about the perfect Announced Peace—that for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace. There is no end to God’s perfect peace under pressure. It is unlimited. Jesus tells His disciples, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” They have been in the upper room after the last supper. Now he makes his move toward the garden of Gethsemane where he would be arrested and taken away to die. So, he puts that “going” in a light that he wants them to understand and believe. He is serving their faith. And what he wants them to see and believe is that the devil (“the ruler of this world”) is real and active and, in one crucial sense, powerless. Nevertheless, we have the perfect Anticipated Peace it comes to us when we trust in God after we have sought the blessings of God Philippians 4: 6,7 reminds us to Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This kind of peace the world cannot give you. You see the world’s peace is based on circumstances. Even though, I may have received a bad report, lost a loved one, economic loss, dealing with a rebellion child, chaos in the workplace. Peace was announced, and I can be at perfect peace after I prayed and cast my cares on the God who cares about me, the God by which we are healed with His stripes, the God who satisfies my mouth with good things, the God who provided everything I need before I ask. God will give me a peace that is not understood by the world because the world has not given me this peace. They cannot understand my praise and why I am singing, I am I chose not to be troubled by my problems because of the prefect peace we have in Christ Jesus. Verse 30b–31a: “The ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me.” Satan has entered into Judas (Luke 22:3) and he is coming. But that is not why I am going. Satan is not decisive. Why not? Because (verse 30 at the end), “He has no claim on me.” Literally: “he has nothing in me.” That is, nothing in me to accuse. No sin where he can set his hook. No guilt where he can make his accusations sting. He looks everywhere around the armor of my righteousness and finds no access to my holy soul. There is no chink in this armor. Satan is powerless to rule a sinless man. When the pressure is on, we have the Arrival of Peace: We do not have to be afraid when we are facing challenging times in our lives. Sometime things get rough and tough. When Jesus arrived on the earth in human flesh, he encouraged his disciples on the boat when they were toss by the winds and the storm. Jesus could sleep because He knew the Father was with him. Jesus responds to his disciples and asks (Matt. 8:26) “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The Prince of Peace has arrived, and He is with us. Trouble in my way I have to cry sometimes but that all right I know Jesus will fix it afterwhile. So why then does Jesus get arrested? Why did he die? Jesus tells us clearly who is in charge on this night. Verse 30 (at the end)–31a: “He [Satan] has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me.” Satan is not the explanation of Calvary, obedience is. “I do as the Father has commanded me …. Rise, let’s go.” The Awaiting Peace: Glancing back at the text Jesus tells the disciples that the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. The prince of this world will cause some troubles, some pains, he comes to kills, steal, and destroy your life and relationship with God. Do not move your position. It has no hold over you. Endure the test as evident so others might learn that you love Him! Our God did a new thing by sending His son Jesus. Who is the Prince of Peace? This is the aftermath of peace. Do not be afraid! Do not let your heart be troubled. Weeping may endure for the night, but the awaiting peace, joy cometh in the morning (Ps. 30: 5). The awaiting peace remembers the greatness of God. While I wait, I will yet praise! Rise let’s go! After you have gone through tough times, you can be a witness to the writings of Ps. 119:71 that it was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Rise let’s go! This is the place that you truly can hold to the word of God after you be tried, tested, you will be triumphant because of the prefect awaiting peace. Rise let’s go!

Conclusion: The cross was not at root the compulsion of evil; it was the compliance of love. “I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father” (John 14:31). The foundation for peace, joy, faith is that in the death of Jesus, love is sovereign. For Jesus has promised to give us peace not as the world and he promised that He is coming again. During Advent, we make preparation for the second coming of Christ. We have the prefect peace under pressure so rise up and let’s go!

Advent Prayer: Oh God, we thank you for the arrival of your peace that you give to us. It is not easy for us to remember that our perfect peace is found in our relationship with You as your children. Help us to see the times when we have lived without the anticipation of peace and forgive us. Set our minds on you, that we may remember you are the prince of peace, and our security comes from you alone. Teach us that this peace is inward, everlasting, and can exist regardless of our circumstances or when we are under great pressures. Make us to live in that aftermath of peace every day. We ask for this in your perfect holy name, the prince of peace Jesus. Amen.