Today’s reflection comes from John 14:27. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”
Jesus had transitioned from his public ministry with the masses of the people to his private ministry with His twelve disciples. During this private time, Jesus shared his final words of encouragement and instruction. He knew He would be leaving. He knew this might be confusing and troubling for those who had walked closest with Him.
Jesus was preparing the disciples for what they would need most in his absence. He knew they might grow troubled or fearful. He needed them to know that although He was leaving them in this world, the Father would send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to go with them, to help them remember everything they had seen and heard from Jesus. This Holy Spirit would be a spirit not of trouble and fear, but of peace. And not just any peace, but the peace of Jesus.
We have access to that same peace today. Peace comes from the root word ciro, to join, tie together into a whole. It literally means wholeness; all essential parts are joined together. Peace is God’s gift of wholeness.
This true peace is not something we can chase or create or find in anything or anyone here on this earth … it is only found in the stillness, at the foot of the cross, in the face of Jesus.
Our challenge: let’s carve out time to get into the presence of He who freely gives peace — wholeness — to get into the presence of He who is himself peace.
Let’s invite the Holy Spirit into more than the big parts of our day. Let’s ask Him to fill the cracks and crevices of our hearts and minds. Let’s ask for all of Him in all of us … tied together, all the essential parts, wholeness, peace.
Let’s long to linger with Him today.
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