PEACE

Peace. How many of us long for peace? We have been going through the gospel of John and the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection. We have looked at Judas’s betrayal, Peter’s denial, Jesus’ trial before Pilate, and His persecution. Through all of these situations, we see people who are afraid, panicking, and at the end of their rope. Seemingly, the only person who remained calm through all of this was Jesus. The One who knew He was going to face all of these things was the only one who was at peace. Not only was Jesus at peace, but He was also actively seeking to comfort others and help them be at peace. Before he went to the garden where He would be betrayed, He said this to His disciples:

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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.”— John 16:31-33

How was this possible? How could Jesus, knowing what lay before Him, say this to His disciples? He told them that even though they would scatter and leave Him alone, they would have peace in Him. Jesus could do this because He had his mind set on the things of God and He entrusted Himself to God. In contrast, Peter had his mind set on the things of man. He thought he was doing God’s will, but he was concerned with the things of this world. This is why Jesus rebuked Peter so harshly when Peter tried to tell Jesus that He would not have to suffer and die.

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”— Matthew 16:23

The night of Jesus’ trial, Peter was still in turmoil. For all of his boasting, he was unsteady and unsure of himself. Why? Peter still had his mind set on the things of man and not on the things of God. Even though he was not going through near the amount of suffering and persecution that Jesus was, he was failing because he was trying to get through it in his own strength. Peter had to be broken of his self-reliance before he could fully follow Jesus. Peter came to realize what it meant to fully follow Jesus. He was brought to his lowest possible point and turned to Jesus. Jesus then graciously restored Peter and challenged him. After the resurrection, Jesus talked with Peter and challenged him to show his love for Jesus through obedience. He told Peter to teach others what Jesus had taught them and that Peter would be martyred. Peter once again was tempted to turn his attention away from Jesus and wonder if John would have to suffer in the same way when Jesus told him:

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”— John 21:22

The world is constantly drawing our attention away from Jesus and from His kingdom. May we learn from Jesus and set our minds on Him. While the world offers peace, it is false peace and will not last. Jesus offers true peace, peace that is present no matter the circumstance.