John 14:27 says: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” KJV
As I write this study on Christmas day 2023, I’m reminded of the words of the heavenly host as they proclaimed the good news to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth. They said, “…on earth peace, good will toward men.” God’s peace and good will was demonstrated by the life of Jesus, and He left that peace with His disciples (and us as His followers). Not as the world gives with all of its conditions, but kind of like a “going away present” as He prepared for His death. So, He came into the world as the Sacrificial Lamb of God to bring peace (and salvation) to all mankind and left leaving with us His peace, which passes all understanding and keeps our hearts and minds through Him (Philippians 4:17). Because of His peace, there is no reason for us to be anxious nor afraid, no matter what might come our way! Glory to God!
John 14:28-29 says: “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” KJV
Jesus now reminds His disciples that He is leaving them for a time, but that He will be back, and that they should rejoice, because He was going to the Father. He wanted them to realize that even though they had seen the Father in Him, and He was in the Father, the Father was greater than Him. Ultimately, He wanted them to believe and not doubt that all He had told them was true. So, because He shared what was coming (all he would endure), they would have no excuse for disbelief . And neither do we!
John 14:30-31 says: “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” KJV
Jesus now makes reference to Judas and the soldiers (who are coming to take Him to the high priest) that they are as “the prince of this world.” He said this to reveal satan’s attempt to rid the earth of God’s redemptive plan even though Jesus was the only sinless man Who had ever lived. There was no wrong to be found in Him! He allowed the plot against Him to unfold, because the Father had commanded Him to do so, and because He wanted the world to know just how much He loved the Father! In so doing, He proved to the world how much He loved us, as well. Praise God!
Next week we will begin our study in chapter 15 of John, and we will see just how important it is to be in Jesus, the Vine. Shalom.
If you have any questions or comments, you can email me at revivalfirefellowship.org, and I will gladly respond.
Revival Fire Fellowship / The Healing House 