“Let not your hearts be troubled…” is a repeated phrase (see John 14:1) offered by Jesus in an hour darkened by the shadow of Judas’s treachery and Peter’s failure, only a few hours away from the agony of Gethsemane and death on the cross (13:21). Yet the statement conveys a sense of sublime peace, and is intended to minister to the fears of the disciples rather than to Jesus’ own needs.
The peace that the world gives is a false peace. This peace for many is merely the absence of discord and disagreement or having everything that we want and desire. Still for some, peace connotes living their lives the way they want it lived. But in a deeper sense, these kinds of people actually live in fear. Putting too much value on taking and acquiring things, coveting and possessing, are certainly signs of being afraid of losing and being considered as poor, inadequate, unintelligent and foolish.
The peace that only Jesus can give is the peace that triumphs over our fear because we are assured of His promise of victory over sin and death by what he accomplished for us by His death on the cross and glorious resurrection.
Jesus gives this undeserved gift of peace by His grace in the midst of distress, turmoil, heartache and pressure for those who dare to turn to Him. The peace of Christ comes with the guarantee that He is working out His purposes.