Devotion on John 14:27 - Receive Jesus' Peace to Cast Out Fear & Anxieties
John 14:27 New International Version
27 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.
AMP
Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]
CJB
“What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened.
#1 Jesus was preparing the disciples for His capture, torture, and death when they would not have Him with them.
#2 Peace is what we all need.
a. Fear and worry are no-no for us.
b. But happiness is not necessarily good. It may lead us to extreme behavior that may cause harm to us.
c. Peace and harmony are what we need. With peace, we can see and make the right decision. With peace, we can face challenges and endure suffering.
d. Even love, while good, may cause us to misuse it. We may exploit the love to behave badly. e.g. the prodigal son.
#3 Jesus' Peace and Worldly Peace are different.
Jesus' peace is in the face of coming suffering and death. It is an overcoming peace.
Worldly peace is the absence of conflicts and it is dependent on external situations. It may be lost when the situation changes.
#4 Jesus gives His peace to us.
We don't need to earn it but to believe and receive it to have it - His peace that overcomes fear and anxieties.
#5 Peace - Hebrew Shalom means wholeness - paid for - perfect - well being - complete - no lack
From the root sh-l-m come the words shalom ("peace, well-being"), hishtalem ("it was worth it"), shulam ("was paid for"), meshulam ("paid for in advance"), mushlam ("perfect"), and shalem ("whole").
Devotion on John 14:27 - Receive Jesus' Peace to Cast Out Fear & Anxiety
John 14:27 – Various Translations
NIV
"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."
AMP
"Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]"
CJB
"What I am leaving with you is shalom — I am giving you my shalom. I don’t give the way the world gives. Don’t let yourselves be upset or frightened."
TLB
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid."
"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."
1. Jesus Prepares His Disciples for His Departure
As Jesus was about to be captured, tortured, and crucified, He reassured His disciples that even in His absence, they would not be left alone. Knowing they would face fear and uncertainty, He gifted them His peace—a peace that surpasses human understanding.
2. Peace Is What We All Need
Fear and worry are not for us – They cripple faith and prevent us from seeing God's plans clearly. Jesus commands us not to let our hearts be troubled.
Happiness is not always good – While happiness can be enjoyable, it can also lead to extreme behavior or distraction from what truly matters.
True peace brings clarity and strength – With peace, we can make wise decisions, face challenges, and endure hardships with grace.
Even love can be misused – Love is powerful, but when misunderstood, it can lead to reckless behavior, as seen in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
3. Jesus' Peace vs. Worldly Peace
Jesus’ peace is enduring – It remains even in suffering, trials, and death. It is an overcoming peace that cannot be shaken by circumstances.
Worldly peace is fragile – It depends on external conditions and can be easily lost when situations change.
4. Jesus Freely Gives Us His Peace
We do not need to earn this peace; we only need to believe and receive it by faith.
His peace empowers us to overcome fear and anxiety, resting in the assurance that He is in control.
5. Peace – The Hebrew 'Shalom' Means Wholeness
The Hebrew word shalom signifies more than just peace; it represents wholeness, well-being, completeness, and the absence of lack.
From the root sh-l-m come words such as:
Shalom – Peace, well-being.
Hishtalem – It was worth it.
Shulam – Was paid for.
Meshulam – Paid for in advance.
Mushlam – Perfect.
Shalem – Whole.
Jesus' peace is not just the absence of conflict but a deep, complete, and fully paid-for well-being that He has secured for us.
We do not need to earn this peace; we only need to believe and receive it by faith.
His peace empowers us to overcome fear and anxiety, resting in the assurance that He is in control.
Application Questions
What fears or anxieties are currently troubling your heart? How can you surrender them to Jesus?
In what ways have you sought worldly peace instead of relying on Jesus' peace?
How can you demonstrate Jesus' peace to others around you, especially in difficult situations?
What steps can you take to grow in trusting Jesus and embracing His peace daily?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of peace through Jesus Christ. In a world full of uncertainties, help me to trust in Your unshakable peace. Teach me to surrender my fears and anxieties to You, knowing that You are in control. Fill my heart with Your presence so that I may walk confidently in faith and share Your peace with those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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Devotion on John 14:27 - Embracing Jesus' Peace to Overcome Fear & Anxiety
Introduction
In John 14:27, Jesus offers His disciples a profound gift—His peace—amidst impending turmoil. This devotion explores the depth of His peace, contrasting it with worldly substitutes, and invites us to live anchored in His wholeness.
1. Context: Jesus Prepares His Disciples
As Jesus faced crucifixion, He comforted His disciples, aware of their impending fear and confusion. His departure wasn’t abandonment but a transition. His peace, a sustaining force, would remind them of His presence through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27). Like the disciples, we face uncertainties, yet Jesus’ promise remains: His peace transcends circumstances.
2. The Necessity of True Peace
Fear vs. Faith: Anxiety paralyzes, but Jesus’ peace empowers trust. Imagine a storm-tossed boat—His peace is the anchor (Mark 4:39-40).
Beyond Happiness: Worldly joy fades, but divine peace fosters resilience. The prodigal son sought fleeting happiness (Luke 15:13), yet true restoration came through reconciliation—rooted in peace.
Love Grounded in Peace: Love without peace risks becoming reckless. Jesus’ peace steadies our hearts, guiding us to love wisely (Philippians 4:7).
3. Jesus’ Peace vs. Worldly Imitations
Enduring Peace: Jesus’ peace persists through trials (e.g., Paul in prison, Acts 16:25). It’s not absence of trouble but presence of assurance.
Fragile Worldly Peace: Wealth, success, or relationships offer temporary calm but crumble under pressure. Like a house on sand, they falter (Matthew 7:26-27).
4. Receiving the Gift of Peace
Freely Given: Grace, not merit, secures this peace. We receive it by trusting Christ’s finished work (Romans 5:1).
Empowerment: His peace fuels courage. Corrie ten Boom, amidst Nazi terror, testified to peace that overcomes fear.
5. Shalom: The Fullness of Peace
The Hebrew shalom signifies wholeness—body, mind, and spirit. Derived terms reveal its richness:
- Hishtalem (worth it): Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient.
- Meshulam (paid in advance): His death secured our peace.
- Mushlam (perfect): His peace completes us.
This shalom heals brokenness, offering completeness in Him.
Application: Living in His Peace
Reflect: Identify fears—write them down, then symbolically surrender them (e.g., tearing the paper, praying over each).
Reject Worldly Substitutes: Audit areas where you seek false peace (e.g., overworking, scrolling). Replace with Scripture meditation.
Radiate Peace: In conflicts, pause to breathe a prayer. Model calmness, pointing others to Christ.
Routine Trust: Start each day with a peace declaration: “Today, I receive Jesus’ shalom” (John 14:27 TLB).
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for Jesus, our Prince of Peace. Forgive my reliance on fragile comforts. Teach me to rest in Your shalom—complete, paid for, and perfect. When anxiety whispers, remind me Your peace is my inheritance. Let my life radiate this hope to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought
“Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ.” — Sheila Walsh. May His shalom guard your heart today (Philippians 4:7).
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