As I look at the condition of our world today, the last thing I see is peace, and frankly, seeing the social and economic upheaval really rocks me at times. Can you relate? Well, times certainly weren’t peaceful when Jesus was alive either, and they were going to get worse. So Jesus gave His disciples some advice in how to handle things. I think what He taught them in John 14:25-27 is so relevant for us today as well.
“All this I have spoken while still with you.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you
of everything I have said to you.
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.”
Jesus is preparing the disciples for the time when He will no longer walk among them in the flesh. His death on the cross is just around the corner, so Jesus let them know that even though He wouldn’t be here in the flesh, God the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them. Let’s look at how Jesus said the Spirit would affect their lives.
The Holy Spirit will TEACH <didaskō> to teach one something.
- (DIC) teach: to cause to know something : to cause to know how : to accustom to some action or attitude : to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action : to guide the studies of : to impart the knowledge of : to instruct by precept, example, or experience : to make known and accepted : to conduct instruction regularly in
- I LOVE THAT DEFINITION! It gives such a comprehensive description of the working of the Holy Spirit!!
The Holy Spirit will REMIND <hypomimnēskō>: to remind quietly, i.e. suggest to the (middle voice, one’s own) memory:—actively, put in mind or bring to memory
- (DIC) remind: to put in mind of something : cause to remember
- To put in mind of something—the Spirit gives us analogies to connect physical things with spiritual truths so we will remember (SONglasses; Crooked creeks)
- To cause to remember—those times the exact verse we need when discussing God with someone “just pops” into our mind….uhhhhhh, no…that was HIM!! LOVE when that happens!!
“Peace I leave with you—My peace I GIVE you”
- Peace <eirēnē>: (from a primary verb <eírō> which means “to join”); peace—according to a conception distinctly peculiar to Christianity, “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is”:
“Let your character [your moral essence, your inner nature]
be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical],
being content with what you have; for He has said,
“I will never [under any circumstances] desert you
[nor give you up nor leave you without support,
nor will I in any degree leave you helpless],
nor will I forsake or let you down or relax
My hold on you [assuredly not]!”
~~Hebrews 13:5~~
- (DIC) peace: a state of tranquility or quiet : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom : freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions : harmony in personal relations : a state or period of mutual concord between governments : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
“MY peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
- The phrase “Peace I leave with you” was used like “goodbye” in that time and culture (go in peace, i. e. may happiness attend you). But Jesus went on to explain that while He would be saying goodbye in a few days, He was doing so much more than that…He was GIVING His peace upon leaving…not merely “wishing” peace on someone, like the world does.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. This phrase literally reads like this in Greek <mē sy kardia tarassō> “No your thoughts/feelings agitated from going back and forth”.
And do not be afraid. This phrase literally reads like this in Greek <mēde deiliaō> “And not timid/fearful”
- (DIC) timid: lacking in courage or self-confidence a timid person : lacking in boldness or determination
- (DIC) fearful: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm especially because of dangerous quality a fearful storm : full of fear : indicating or arising from fear : inclined to fear : timorous
- “Full of fear” brought to mind how we are to be “full of the Spirit” and not full of anything else. (Ephesians 5:18 “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.”)
It’s so important that we not miss the connection Jesus is making here. He just got done talking about giving the Holy Spirit to live inside us forever. And now Jesus shows that His “peace” (in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit), means “not allowing our lives/feelings to be in conflict with the Spirit — agitated”, and “not allowing the lies of the enemy and our flesh to make us timid and insecure”. When we live our lives in light of how we “feel”, instead of what God “says”, we will experience conflict/agitation and we will be insecure. Wow…..just wow.
YOU CAN HAVE A FEELING WITHOUT THE FEELING HAVING YOU.