“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
~~~ John 14:27
(selections from Praying Through Advent
Reverends Delaney Schlake-Kruse and Kelsey Beebe)
When Jesus offers peace to his friends, he is well aware that the world they live in is anything but peaceful. Jesus is headed to his death at this point in the story, and he is offering comfort to his disciples before his arrest.
“Peace” in John 14 is all about the abiding presence of God with people in times of trouble. Jesus’ peace does not guarantee that all will be well, or even that we will not experience anxiety or chaos. Rather, Jesus is offering the assurance that God will be with us, offering the gift of God’s consistent presence and peace even in the face of great fear and upheaval.
A little something: Make a list of all the areas of chaos or anxiety that touch your life and your community today. Now, write “Peace” next to each entry, and write about what it feels like to be moored in God’s peace in the midst of the storms of life.
Prayer for Advent Joy (adapted from Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.): Gracious God, help us to be aware of how we are God-Bearers, no matter how ordinary our lives might seem! Amen.
Michael, Sally, Elise and Sean from Florissant, MO
