Jesus Peace

3/5/2025

Written By: Margie Davis

John 14:27 (ERV) “I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.”

Peace. What is it? Where is it? Can it really last?

The big question is what keeps us from feeling peace? For me, it can be a busy schedule, a stressful event, an unexpected expense, a difficult relationship, or even simple things like a flat tire or a medical procedure. When we can only find peace when everything is going smoothly, that’s OUR form of peace. That’s the WORLD’s peace. But what is this special peace that Jesus wants to give us? I call it Jesus Peace.

I have very special memories of growing up on a farm. My Dad was always there somewhere. Maybe I couldn't see him, but I knew he was either in a field, the barn, the garden, mowing the grass or in the shop fixing a tractor or mower. I knew that access to him was close by. That gave me peace.

My mom didn’t work when we were young. I remember staying home from school one day when I was sick, and it was just the two of us. She went upstairs to take a shower and unbeknownst to me, she shut the front door on her way up the stairs and it caused a little vacuum that caused the back door to our kitchen to close “on its own.” I was in the kitchen when it happened, and it scared the wits out of me! I went screaming “momma, momma!!!” And she was there. She wrapped her arms around me and explained the science of what had happened, but knowing how shaken I was, she let me lay in her bed while she was just feet away taking a record fast shower. I felt so much better knowing she was close by. Our moms and dads can make us feel peace just by being near us. It’s why I still sometimes (as a 66-year-old woman) want my mom or dad.

The world outside may be chaotic and unpredictable, but within the protective arms of a parent, there is a profound sense of safety and calm. The child doesn’t worry about the complex matters of life. They simply rest, confident and secure, knowing their parent will take care of everything.

This is like the "Jesus Peace" we are offered—an unshakeable assurance that transcends our circumstances. It’s a peace that remains unbroken, not because the world is stable, but because we are held by the One who is unwaveringly faithful.

I don’t know about you, but Jesus peace sounds so much better than my own peace which is so dependent on my circumstances and thoughts!

The Bible gives us a clear formula for achieving Jesus peace in Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Here is the challenge. We must love others enough to show them how they can have Jesus peace instead of the world’s peace.

About 4 years ago, my friend Robin Vandegriff learned she had breast cancer. She was to have a double mastectomy followed by some grueling treatment and then eventually reconstruction. She knew she had a long road ahead. The night before her surgery our small group went to her house and stood around her for a prayer circle. We were all so concerned for her. But she said “I’m really ok! I have so much peace. I know God has me!” She wasn’t just saying it; we could SEE it! She was living breathing evidence of the peace that Jesus promises even when the breast cancer diagnosis tried to deny it!

Robin's experience, like so many others, underscores the profound truth that peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God. It is a peace that is deeply rooted in faith and trust, a peace that transforms our hearts and minds, and one that we are called to share with the world. May we all strive to embrace this Jesus peace and be examples of it in the lives of those we encounter.