Before considering our Lord’s words here in John 14, please turn to what He said Matthew 7. We are turning from the “Upper Room Discourse” to the “Sermon on Mount.” Look at verse 24 – “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
I’m going to make a slight deviation from the Lord’s words, but I am quite sure I’m doing no harm to His intent. With perhaps a few exceptions, the people of Israel in Jesus’ day knew nothing about coastal light houses. But let’s say – that was the Lord’s illustration: “I will liken the wise man to someone who has built his LIGHTHOUSE on a rock.” I like that image – the Christian is supposed to be a light in this world. But if we aren’t firmly rooted in the foundational rock of Christ, our lighthouse and our light, are going to fall.
With that in mind, Thursday I googled the question: “What are the world’s most dangerous lighthouses?” I quickly scanned several websites and found that the answer is a matter of opinion. The lists all differed. One of the first that I checked mentioned Oregon’s Tillamook Light – which many of us have seen. More commonly mentioned was Iceland’s “Tridranger Light House,” and I could see why that was selected. But the most commonly listed was the “La Jument” (La Jumo) light at the northwestern corner of France. One of the most famous photographs of the fury of the sea involves a 100 foot wave pounding La Jument. Taken in 1989, it captured an Atlantic wave between 7 and 8 storey’s high, wrapping itself around the light. It blew out some windows and a door, but because the house was anchored to a rock it still stands today. There was a lighthouse keeper in the tower at the time who credited his salvation to moving toward the sound of the photographer’s helicopter just when the wave hit. I can’t imagine what MY heart would have been doing at that time, or even during any lesser storms, but I can assure you that it wouldn’t have been filled with peace.
As I said, John 14 is a part of Christ’s “Upper Room Discourse.” From chapter 14 to 16 we have what was probably the last private conversation between the Lord Jesus and His disciples. It is filled with words of comfort and encouragement. “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. I go to prepare a place for you.” “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” and you’ll also have the comforter of the Spirit. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends; ye are my friends.” “I have chosen you out of the world.” “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.” After some warnings and several other encouraging words, Jesus went to prayer in the hearing of his men. “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that they Son also may glorify thee.” Then in the next chapter, John 18, they all crossed the brook Cedron and proceeded to Gethsemane where Jesus was betrayed. In other words, He was only hours away from the cross.
In the midst of these three chapters, Jesus said to His disciples, and to us, “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.” There may be someone here today who really need the peace of which our Saviour speaks. Or here may be someone who is listening on Facebook or through sermon audio, who needs this message. You are the cusp of a huge trial, and you know it. But then again, maybe not, but next week, you might really need the peace of Christ. “These things (has Christ) spoken unto (us), that in (Him we) might have peace. In the world (we) have tribulation, but (we can) be of good cheer; ( because Christ has) overcome the world.”
But let’s begin with the peace of the WORLD to which Christ referred.
Maybe it is a small thing, but I have to ask: does Jesus say anything here about the world’s kind of peace? I know that it is the way this verse is taught, and I’ve probably referred to it several times during my ministry. But isn’t it a fact that the Lord doesn’t describe or condemn the world’s peace? What He says is that His manner of giving peace is different from the manner which the world gives peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not AS the world GIVETH, give I unto you.” It appears to me that the Lord doesn’t even remotely refer to the kind of peace the world has to offer.
Can we find peace in this world which has been cursed by God and the effects of sin? Within certain parameters and definitions, yes. The problem lays in the way in which the world offers its peace.
I googled this question: “What is the most peaceful place on earth,” and the first answer was Iceland. Maybe the answer was based on the absence of crime, the small population or the stability of its economy. But Iceland is well-known for a very special feature. Iceland has the nickname of “The Land of Fire and Ice.” Despite their beauty, volcanos aren’t conducive to my peace of mind. In that particular list, New Zealand was described as the second most peaceful place in the world. But Judy and I just watched a reality show set in New Zealand where the participants were nearly driven insane by sand flies. That part of the most southernly island was definitely not a peaceful place.
A hiker may say there is nothing more peaceful than standing at the top of an Idaho mountain or on the shore of some hidden lake – until a 50 mph wind whips up or a bear comes out of the brush. The United Nations or League of Nations might counsel or declare peace, but they can’t produce peace. On November 11, 1918 an armistice was signed ending World War I – “the war to end all wars.” It took less than thirty years before that peace came to an end and World War II began. Man has the habit of promising peace and quickly withdrawing it. That is how the world gives peace. Soon the Antichrist will promise peace to Israel, but he will personally destroy it forty-two months later.
These are the facts. Do they disturb you? Do they make you worry? Do they destroy your mental equilibrium? Or perhaps it is something else that disturbs you – family problems or health problems, perhaps. Then listen to our Saviour. “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.”
In contrast to the peace of the world, there is the peace of CHRIST.
Please remember, this verse comes in the midst of the “Upper Room Discourse.” I mention that because, again, this was within hours of the Cross. The Lord Jesus wasn’t confused or in the dark about what was coming up. He mentioned some of the details. “I go away. I am leaving you soon, but you’ll have the Holy Spirit.” A few minutes later He was in prayer about His upcoming sacrifice. And still He was in peace about it. What would you be feeling right now if the Lord revealed to you how and when you – or your spouse – will die? What if you knew the kind of pain your persecutors were soon to inflict upon you? Could you be at peace? In Christ we have an illustration and a promise: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” The peace which the surgeon promises, is not the same kind of peace which Christ promises. The peace that an opiate provides is not the way Christ Jesus provides peace to His people.
In addition to the upcoming cross, the ministry of Christ Jesus had been full and relentless. He was constantly and willingly giving away His vitality and power, always expending virtue on the diseased and disabled. For example, we read in Luke 9 – “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” This sort of thing was constantly taking place during Jesus’ earthly ministry. And at every turn there were the scribes, Pharisees and priests ready to debate Him. And there were attempts on His life. There were occasions when the God Man appeared to be utterly exhausted. And yet, He not only speaks of peace, but He possessed complete serenity – in quantities which no man could exhaust or steal from Him. One of the great gifts He gives to His people – making it available to you and me – is His special peace.
And that brings us to the peace of GOD’S SAINT.
It is the gift of God; it is the gift of God’s Son. It is a serenity and tranquility which no man can possess apart from Christ. “Peace I leave with you, MY peace I give unto you… Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” Just before the Son of God lifted up His eyes to heaven and began to speak to His father… Just before John 17, Jesus’ last words to the disciples were dark and ominous. John 16:32 – “Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” But, “These things I have spoken unto, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Christians are like nuclear powered submarines – divinely powered submarines. We may be submerged in some of the most polluted and poisonous waters on earth. If we stepped outside at a depth of 100 feed, breathing in that filthy water, we’d be dead in minutes. But while submerged in Christ, we are both, surrounded by and filled with, a very special atmosphere, given to us by our Saviour. Outside of us, the world is restless, sin-filled and deadly, but inside there is life and peace. The outward part of our lives may be confused and disturbed, but the inward is composed and calm. The outward is filled with tribulation, but the inward is filled with peace. But there is a problem: we keep opening the screen door on our submarine, permitting the outside to get in.
Godly serenity is the natural result of confidence in God’s control of all the forces and events of our daily lives. When Jesus said to His disciples,“My peace I give unto you,” He might have added, “I offer you my promise of victory.” Because Christ is King of all kings and Lord of creation. Look at the Lord Jesus in the midst of storm asleep in the bow of the boat – that was peace. Just as there was no possible way for Christ to drown, those disciples were safe as long as they were in the same boat with the Saviour. And He says to us “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
This peace of Christ is not what the hiker finds at the top of the mountain. That was not where the Lord was when He offered and gave us His peace. It didn’t involve a beautiful sunset over a vast range of mountains without the hindrance of cloud or smoke. Christ’s peace is the midst of those clouds while being surrounded by wildfire.
And just as Christ had peace during His ministry and before His ultimate purpose, we can have His peace in the midst of our ministry and purpose. But remember, this is the gift of Christ. “MY peace I give unto you.” It is given to us through the umbilical cord of His grace. If we tie that cord, His gracious peace will disappear. If we aren’t in constant fellowship and service with Him, we will not enjoy His peace.
As much as we need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to function as Christians should, we need the comfort of the Spirit and the peace of Christ. Is there sin in your life that blocks the flow of Christ’s peace to your heart? Confess that sin and by the grace of God forsake that sin. If there has ever been a time in history when we need Christ’s peace it is today.