His Peace

After telling His disciples that he would die and leave them, Jesus said: 

“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.”

Can you imagine the fear they must have felt upon receiving the news that the Messiah was going to leave? As a people they had waited for this Messiah for millennia for a savior to bring them liberation. Instead He brought them salvation. 

And while they had been taught what they needed to know His disciples did not fully understand. Thomas said he knew not the way to go where Jesus was going. Philip asked to see the Father as though he believed that would finally be enough knowledge and teaching to carry them through. 

These disciples had accompanied Jesus throughout his three-year ministry. They had been witnesses to miracles, ministered to by angels, and they testified of Jesus’ divinity. Yet the unknown left them with the uneasiness of the unknown. In the face of such doubt and fear, Jesus offered the gift of divine peace. Not the peace that the world promises, rather a gift that will spare our hearts of trouble that we will not be afraid. 

Tomorrow, half of America will awaken with an overwhelming sense of dread. Many will wonder how we can survive, let alone thrive, because the one elected will espouse an agenda that seems anathema to their own points of view. 

There is a path to escape that fear and to live in hope. That path begins with a study of the Savior and His life with a desire to live as He lived. A life that is based in truth. A life that is full of belief in the wondrous works that Jesus did and a belief that we can do even greater works. 

This path involves asking the Father for things in the name of Jesus Christ. This does not mean that just because we ask we will receive; rather that if we ask the Father for that which Jesus would ask, in His name, then we will receive. 

On this path we obey His commandments , motivated by love of God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. For this is perfect love that “casteth out fear.” For we cannot have fear when we are filled with the Comforter. 

Be true to the commandments of God. Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bless and serve those who are around you. If you believe you are greater, you are less. When we self-righteously criticize others for their beliefs, our criticisms represent the beam in our own eyes. If we will live our lives in love and founded in the commandments of God we will have no time or reason to fear.

Add not to the cacophony of fearful rants. Replace hurtful words with service to those you have maligned. Look to our Lord and God and receive His Peace.