Jesus Is Your Peace

In Israel, Jews greet each other with the words “shalom, shalom”. Unlike the English word “peace”, “shalom” means much more than just peace, but also wholeness for your entire being—spirit, soul and body. It means having a sense of completeness and soundness. In other words, shalom encompasses your provision, health, safety and ensures your total well-being.

When Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 14:27, He did not use the English word “peace” because they didn’t speak English but He used the Hebrew word “shalom”, saying, “Shalom I leave with you, My shalom I give to you…” Interestingly, the word “leave” here actually means “bequeath”, the way a rich man bequeaths his estate to his beneficiary. It is like leaving a will.

The disciples must have been excited when they heard that Jesus was leaving them His shalom. They must have known that to receive His Peace was to have His health because they had never seen Him sick. To have His Peace also meant never being in lack because He was never broke. Whenever He needed money, He just produced it. Once, He needed money to pay the temple tax and He produced through the mouth of a fish! (Matthew 17:24–27) How amazing is that?

The disciples also understood that having Jesus’ Peace meant having His abundance because they had seen Him meeting the needs of thousands with plenty of leftovers. They saw him feeding 5,000 men (not counting the women and children and I am sure you know in most churches the women and children are more than the men) with 12 baskets full of leftovers! (Mark 6:34–44) Something they longed to be able to live themselves.

Jesus wanted His disciples to know that His peace was different from the peace that the world claims to offer. His peace would change whatever trying circumstances that beset them. Even if it was a mega storm, it would have to bow to His peace. The Prince of Peace merely spoke, “Peace, be still!” and the winds and the sea obeyed Him (Mark 4:39). His peace changed the mega storm into a perfect calm. Jesus is your peace so when you have Him with you, you are rest assured.

Note that anytime the disciples needed something and they told Jesus they knew they were going to have it answered. This gave the disciples some boldness knowing that their master was there to always offer help. His peace was able to change difficult situations, sickness, lack and mental anguish to health, provision and total wellbeing.

My beloved, anytime you are going through anything that is beyond you just know that Jesus is your peace and He is right by you through it all. He will never leave you nor forsake you and He is willing and able to meet your need.