Tuesday 7th
John 14:1-7
As we continue with our theme this week, we come to what is probably one of the most famous portions of John’s gospel. Jesus had already told the disciples that one of the close group of disciples was going to betray him, (John 13:21-30) and that Peter would deny him three times.(John 13:36-38) Jesus has told them he is about to be leaving them and this news caused them to be troubled in their hearts. But Jesus reassures them it’s not the end. ‘And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.’ (John 14:3) I’m going, but don’t panic, I’m coming back!
We often turn to these verses for in them we find comfort in the face of death. Jesus has already gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us – so that whether we are living or dying when he returns, he is going to fetch us, or snatch us up from this earth and into his eternal presence. That is a comforting thought – especially when faced with the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)
These verses bring to us as already mentioned the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. John only briefly touches on it, but Matthew and Luke have reported for us much more of the dialogue that Jesus had with the disciples in this Holy Week concerning his coming again. (Matthew 24 & 25, Luke 21) In both Matthew and Luke, Jesus tells the disciples about the betrayal and denial after the second coming dialogue, so when we get to the verses in John 14 we need to read this as having taken place after the 2nd coming dialogue and it is a gentle reminder to them of what they had heard and discussed and that they needn’t be troubled about it.
Later in John 14 Jesus continues to reassure them that he will send someone else, another comforter to be with them, the Holy Spirit, he makes a number of comforting statements through the next few chapters and then closes at the end of chapter 16 with the words ‘I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’
I have gone a long way around in this devotion to move from John 14:1 ‘Let not your heart be troubled’ to 16:33 ‘That in me you may have peace.’
We are living in troublesome times. Jesus warned that before he comes again that there would be so much happening that it would cause men’s hearts to fail with fear. (Luke 21:25-28 NJV) Even for those of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, like his disciples, we can if we are not careful allow the troublesome times and things we read on-line or in newspapers and hear on the television to cause fear or anxiety to come into our lives. Especially at this present time as we see statistics for the Coronavirus.
But Jesus wants to speak his peace into our troubled thoughts and anxious hearts – HE IS IN CONTROL. He has overcome the world; this means that nothing at all can happen without his knowledge and without his allowing it to happen. What is more, Jesus can make the declaration ‘that in me you may have peace’ because he is the Prince of Peace! Remember the words of the prophet Isaiah in 9:6 ‘For to us a child is born . . . HIS NAME WILL BE CALLED Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.’
Peace that we read of in this worlds peace pacts etc are fragile and very often futile, but not so with the peace that our Saviour gives it is a firm and resolute peace, it is a peace that touches our hearts, settles our minds and brings us closer to the heart of God.
If you have anxious thoughts, if you are finding yourself in a place where worry is consuming you, come to the Prince of Peace allow him to overwhelm you with his love and peace. In Isaiah 26:3 we read, ‘You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.’
Allow some of these Scriptures that speak of His peace to fill your hearts and mind today.
Psalm 4:8 ‘In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.’
Psalm 29:11 ‘May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!’
Psalm 119:165 ‘Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.’
Isaiah 32:17 ‘And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.’
Isaiah 55:12 ‘For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.’
John 14:27 ‘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.’
Philippians 4:7 ‘And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’
When my friends have failed me, and I’m standing all alone;
When my spirit is discouraged, and I feel all hope is gone,
There’s no need to be disheartened, for I have a Friend who cares.
When my faith becomes weak, I can kneel at His feet . . . and my burden He bears.
He is always there.
When He speaks peace the raging storms must die . . . hope becomes new life;
When he whispers; everything will be alright.
When he speaks peace the dark night slips away . . . like the breaking of the day;
When Jesus speaks peace.
Oftentimes I’ve wandered, even in my darkest hours,
Would His faithful ears still harken to my needs and my desires
Then I hear His voice so tender, speaking softly in my ear;
I kneel down and pray in my secret place and I know He will hear.
He is always near.
Unknown CCLI 788682