Supernatural Peace
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
In a world that promises peace through circumstance—quiet weekends, financial security, or the absence of conflict—Jesus offers something radically different. In John 14:27, He declares, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” This single verse invites us to explore the nature of Christ’s peace, contrast it with the fragile peace the world provides, and discover what His gift means for our daily lives. When we receive Jesus’ peace, we are anchored in a relationship that no storm can uproot, enabling us to grow deeper and stronger in our walk with Him.
The Peace the World Gives
The world’s peace is conditional and external. It depends on favorable conditions aligning in our favor. A job promotion brings peace until the next performance review. A reconciled relationship offers peace until the next misunderstanding. Even global ceasefires are temporary, often shattered by the next headline. The peace the world offers is like a calm sea that turns turbulent the moment the wind shifts. It is earned, maintained, and lost through human effort and circumstance.
Scripture illustrates this fleeting peace in the lives of those who sought security apart from God. King Asa of Judah enjoyed years of rest after fortifying his cities and defeating enemies (2 Chronicles 14–15), yet when crisis returned, he relied on foreign alliances instead of the Lord and died in unrest (2 Chronicles 16:12–13). The rich fool in Jesus’ parable stored up goods for “many years” of relaxed ease, only to lose his life that very night (Luke 12:16–21). Worldly peace is real, but it is fragile because it rests on things that pass away.
Peace That Transcends
Jesus’ peace, by contrast, is internal, eternal, and rooted in Him. He gives it as a gift—“my peace I give to you”—not as wages we earn. This peace flowed from the same heart that slept in a boat during a gale (Mark 4:38) and prayed in Gethsemane with sweat like drops of blood yet submitted, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42–44). It is the peace of perfect unity with the Father, now imparted to us through the Holy Spirit.
Paul describes it as “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” that guards hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). It guarded him in prison, shipwreck, and beatings. It guarded the Thessalonian believers amid persecution (1 Thessalonians 1:6). This peace does not ignore trouble; it transcends it. Jesus promised it on the eve of His crucifixion, knowing His disciples would soon scatter in fear. The world could not steal what the He had secured.
These distinctions are not theoretical; they shape how we face diagnosis, betrayal, grief, or uncertainty. The world says, “Fix the problem and you will have peace.” Jesus says, “Abide in Me and you will have peace even while the problem remains.”
What This Means for Us
Receiving Jesus’ peace begins with surrender—acknowledging that we cannot manufacture it ourselves. We lay down our strategies for control and trust the One who calmed the sea with a word.
Consider the following Scriptures:
Psalms 119:165 (ESV), “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”
Philippians 4:6 (ESV), “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV), “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
When we live in Jesus’ peace, we become witnesses. The early church turned the world upside down not by political power but by unshakable calm in arenas and prisons. Today, a parent facing unemployment, a student enduring mockery, or a spouse navigating betrayal can radiate the same tranquility—not because their circumstances are easy, but because their Savior is near.
An Invitation to Deeper Relationship
Jesus’ parting gift was not an abstract feeling but Himself. “My peace I give to you” means the Prince of Peace takes up residence in us (Colossians 1:27). Every heartbeat of worry is an invitation to return to Him, to breathe in His peace, and to exhale fear. As we do, our roots sink deeper into the soil of His love, and we bear fruit that endures—love, joy, and peace that the world cannot give or take away.
Let not your heart be troubled. The One who spoke peace to winds and waves now speaks it to you. Receive it today, and let it carry you into a richer, stronger relationship with the Savior who is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).