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. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for keeping your comments positive and helpful..

Popular posts from this blog

Merry Christmas 2013

Image
Today I thank my mother and father for their goodness, kindness and example that I hope to emulate through my years. I thank my brother Paul for his leadership. As the eldest of numerous siblings he has paved the way for us all to set goals and achieve them. My sister Kathy has always stood for that which is right.  Her virtuous living and stalwart life keeps us steady and grounded. Joanne has kept our family fun and imbued us with continued traditions.  Thank you Jody. Diane has blessed us all with the example of continual hope.  Her courage in the face of trials is a gift I remember on this Christmas Day. Elaine will give her support to anyone at any time and for any need.  I am not even sure she asks why.  Thank you for that unconditional love. Richard will get into the grind and solve any problem as quickly as it arises.  He shows me the value of not waiting and rueing but just getting in and doing it. My brother Robert, the second of the twins, keeps his youthful
Read more

Starting in the Corners

Image
My mom with two of my children As parents we watch our children learn and grow. As infants they depend on us for almost everything they need. We feed, clothe, protect and teach them all that we can so that they can enjoy a rich and full life.  We tend to recall those years with incredible fondness.  Curiously that fondness seems to grow as the years go by. In those early days and first few years we mark and celebrate the milestones.  That first smile, even if it was just gas, imprints in our mind's eye.  We celebrate or mourn those first steps depending on whether we were there to see them.  We blissfully enjoy the renewed rest as they finally sleep through the night.  And what parent doesn't rejoice at the moment a child can serve herself at a buffet? Through all of these milestone moments our children gradually become the people they will be.  But development is never even nor perfect.  There are always flaws and mistakes. But as parents to our children we encourage t
Read more

Winter

Image
In winter when gloom and dark abound, We lay our heads upon our beds with cold and dread all about. But at the start of dawn's too bright light some hope seeps in our life. For while we slept the dark black clouds emptied their feigned despair blowing down a serene blanket white. Untouched our world feels like a comforter, deceptively warm. The earth is covered with no escape. But there is no fear nor claustrophobic dread. Instead the shining moon drifts above our sleeping heads. A  continuing snowfall scatters the reflected light. Falling flakes fill the air with a brilliant array of heavenly hope. Hope that comes from this blanket so fair. The world now brimming in brilliant white. We gather our boots our scarves and our coats. We know the cold air that awaits. Our flesh is to weak to withstand the harsh blast of deep winter's icy, sharp flair. We take a step to just explore. We are vulnerable. We feel the cold. We are small.   We groan, we moan
Read more