Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 04:1 (Summer 1995)
Article: Peace!
Author: S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.

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EmJ 4:1 (Sum 95) p. 21

Peace!

S. Lewis Johnson, Jr.1

An Exposition of John 14:25–31

Introduction

In this section, concluding the first part of the discourse in the upper room, the Lord gives three promises to the disciples and to us. One of them is new and two are old.

Among them is a priceless “last will and testament,” as someone has put it (cf. v. 27). In our Lord’s words it is, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” It is striking, is it not, that the Lord Jesus was the poorest of the poor, and yet He has left this priceless boon and bequest to men. Many have, I am sure, prayed as Whittier did,

Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.2

It is this wonderful peace, and more than this, that Jesus promises us.

And how appropriate it is that our society appeal to Him for that peace and harmony in life. What burdens, both recognized and unrecognized, men and

EmJ 4:1 (Sum 95) p. 22

women of our day have! We have the burden of unemployment, the product of vast excesses in our governmental leaders. We have, therefore, the burden of the millions of the poor, victims of both the evils of modern society’s men and women and their own discouragement and idleness. And we have parental problems, for the youth of our society are often totally out of control, both in our schools and in our slums. And in the finest of our families there is often a “generation gap” of dangerous proportions. And this is to say nothing of the lonely, the ill, and the aged.

Of course, we do not want, or need, a kind of sheltered placidity, for we must cope directly with life about us. And we do not want an emotionless Stoicism, for that is beyond most of us. What we need is what Jesus alone gives,— “my peace.” It is to Jesus’ prescription that we now turn in our study of John’s Gospel.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 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. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye love...

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