What does Jesus mean when He says, 'Peace I leave with you' (John 14:27)?

from the new testament

• John 14:27 is from a longer passage where Jesus tells the disciples He will be leaving: “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.” Jesus no doubt realized the disciples would be alarmed at knowing He was leaving, so He promised them peace through the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15–17).
• Romans 5:1 expresses another kind of peace made possible through Jesus' death and resurrection: peace between us and God: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” No matter how seemingly chaotic the world is, believers are not anxious because we know God controls it all (Romans 8:28).
• This peace with God given to us by His grace and received by faith in His Son also results in peace with others. Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It is “possible” through Christ as all things are (Matthew 19:26), so unless others try to force us to go against God (Acts 5:29), we’re to try to live in peace with them. Of course, for believers, this means functioning as a unified body (John 17:20–21; 1 Corinthians 12:12–26; Ephesians 4:1–32). But the “all” in Romans 12:18 includes nonbelievers, too.
• Philippians 4:6–7 points out that believers also have inner peace, even amid the tribulations of the world: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Even the turmoil of the world cannot rob believers of the peace that is one of the fruits of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23).

implications for today

The world longs for peace but never achieves it. During any given year, some nation somewhere is embroiled in war. Individually, people seek peace through weeklong retreats, yoga classes, or the latest self-help book. But only Jesus Christ provides true, lasting peace. Because of Christ, we can bring our troubles to God in prayer and be assured that He works all things for our good (Philippians 4:6–7; Romans 8:28). We also have the peace of eternal security through the blood of Christ, through whom we have the forgiveness of sins (John 3:16–18; 1 John 1:9; Jude 1:24–25). This is why Christians, even under persecution, have been able to endure. From Paul to early Church martyrs like Polycarp of Smyrna to faithful twentieth century Christians like Corrie ten Boom, the Holy Spirit has made it possible to endure torment and still maintain the peace that Paul said surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Today, Christianity is still under attack in many parts of the world, but believers have assurance through Jesus that we can maintain inner peace through the Spirit’s strength (Philippians 4:13; Galatians 5:22–23). We also know we are adopted sons and daughters with an ensured and eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:3–14; 1 Peter 1:3–9). Jesus gives us peace with God, peace within, and peace with others when we put our faith in Him.