Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series: Truth for the Heart

April 17, 2005

A LEGACY OF PEACE

John 14:27-31

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, nor let it be fearful. You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will cone to you.’ If you loved Me you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe. I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming and he has nothing in Me; but that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

A person who is about to die leaves his last will and testament to his family and friends. Here the Lord Jesus Christ is on His way to die on the cross for our sins and He is leaving something very valuable to His disciples. He didn’t bequeath material things for the body to enjoy-rather he bequeathed something that would enable them to continue His ministry without fear or dread - HIS PEACE! (John 16:31)

He had already told them that He was going to leave them. Then He assured them that He was coming back for to take them to Himself. He now reminds them of this glorious truth and they were to rejoice in this. He tells them He is going to the Father for the “Father is greater than I.”

At first this statement seems to contradict all that He had taught them about His equality with the Father. However, there is no contradiction. An illustration might suffice to explain this statement. Three brothers own a company. These three brothers are equal in the sense that they come from the same parents. Each brother paid thirty three and one third percent of the price of the company – thus they are equal owners. However, in operating the company they decide that one brother, William, should function as president of the company. A second brother, Robert, should function as vice president in charge of operations. A third brother, John, should function as the one in charge of labor management. You see each brother is equal in person and ownership. However, in light of their differing functions, there is a difference – not in essence –but in function.

The same is true of the trinity. God, the Father is the master planner or the president. God the Son is the One in whom the plans of the Father are centered. God the Holy Spirit is the One who applies the plans that are in the Son, which the Father planned. You see each one is equal in Person but not in function. Therefore, the Son can say the Father is greater than I in function and position but not in essence and person (John 10:30; Philippians 2:6).

The Lord knew that the time of His betrayal was drawing near. He knew Satan was coming with his accusations but the evil one would “find nothing in Me” that means there was no taint of sin in the Lord Jesus. He wouldn’t give in to the ruler of this world. He alone could say that. Satan has plenty to find in us.

Dr William MacDonald gives a beautiful paraphrase of verse 31. “The time of my betrayal is at hand. I shall go voluntarily to the cross. This is the Father’s will for me. It will tell the world how much I love the Father. That is why I am now going without offering any resistance.”

Back to the initial statement of our Lord - “My peace I leave with you.” The peace He left with His disciples is available to the church today. This is true because the Holy Spirit dispenses that peace in our hearts. When we find ourselves becoming fearful over something, go to the promises of God and claim them for your situation. When you do that in faith, “The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The legacy of peace is a precious commodity. God bless and have a week filled with the peace of God.

Suggestions for prayer: Thank God for the Holy Spirit’s marvelous transforming work in your heart through the Word of God.

For further study: Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:6,7; Colossians 3:15; I Thessalonians 5:13. Study the different aspects of peace in these passages and how they apply to you.