Anonymous Author
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Many say they have no peace nor rest, but so many crosses and trials, afflictions and sorrows that they know not how they shall get through them. Now he who in truth will perceive and take note, perceive clearly, that true peace and rest lie not in outward things; for if it were so, the “evil spirit” also would have peace when things go according to his own will, which is not the case; for the prophet declares, There is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). Therefore, we must consider and see what is that peace which Christ left to His disciples at the last, when He said: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you.
We may perceive that in these words Christ did not mean a bodily and outward peace; for His beloved disciples, with all His friends and followers, have ever suffered from the beginning, great affliction, persecution, and often martyrdom, as Christ Himself said: In the world you will have tribulation (John 16:33). But Christ meant that true, inward peace of the heart, which begins here, and endures forever. Therefore, He said: Not as the world gives, for the world is false and deceives in her gifts (she promises much and performs little). Moreover there lives no man on earth who may always have rest and peace without troubles and crosses, with whom things always go according to his will; there is always something to be suffered here, turn which way you will. And as soon as you are quit of one assault, perhaps two come in its place. Therefore yield yourself willingly to them, and seek only that true peace of the heart that none can take away from you that you may overcome all assaults.
Therefore, Christ meant the inward peace that can break through all assaults and crosses of oppression, suffering, misery, humiliation and what more there be of the like, so that a man may be joyful and patient therein, like the beloved disciples and followers of Christ. Now he who will in love give his whole diligence and might thereto will surely come to know that true eternal peace which is God Himself, as far as it is possible to a creature (insomuch that what was bitter to him before shall become sweet and his heart shall remain unmoved under all changes, at all times, and after this life he shall attain unto everlasting peace).
Copyright © 2005 by Henry DuBose