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

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

In John 14:27, Jesus promised His disciples peace. The Bible presents several ways that believers have peace through faith in Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection made peace between us and God possible (John 17:20–21; Romans 5:8–10; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He also assured His disciples that He would send a Helper to make this possible (John 14:15–16). This Helper, given to us at salvation (Ephesians 1:13–14), gives us peace, or an unwavering trust unchanged by circumstance (Romans 8:6; Galatians 5:22–23; Philippians 4:6–7). The Spirit reassures us that we belong to God (Romans 8:14–17; 1 John 3:24). So, peace with God gives us a consistent source of comfort and peace through the difficult trials we face in life (John 16:33). Faith in Christ also leads to peace with others. All who put their faith in Jesus become God's children (John 1:12) and are part of His family, functioning as a unified body (1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 2:11–22; 4:1–6). This gift of peace includes our attitude toward nonbelievers, too (Romans 12:18). The Bible establishes that Jesus gives us peace with God, peace within, and peace with others when we put our faith in Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Isaiah 9:6 presents this messianic prophecy of Christ as the provider of peace: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Christ is rightly called the “Prince of Peace,” the one who makes the promise in John 14:27 possible.
• Isaiah 53:5 reveals that Jesus’ painful crucifixion, death, and resurrection enabled the peace he promises in John 14:27: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.”

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.

UNDERSTAND

• When Jesus said He was leaving the disciples with peace, He was promising the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus also left the disciples with peace because He reconciled us to God.
• Jesus brought peace with God, peace of God within ourselves, and peace with others.

REFLECT

• How do you experience the peace that Jesus promises in your relationship with God?
• How do you rely on the Holy Spirit to give you inner peace when facing difficulties, worries, or uncertainty?
• How can trusting in Jesus’ peace help you approach conflicts or strained relationships with others?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage one another to experience the peace of Christ in a world filled with turmoil and fear?
• What role does the Holy Spirit play in uniting believers as a family and creating peace among us?
• How does understanding the peace Jesus provides challenge us to live at peace with those outside the faith?