My Peace I Give You

After Jesus had risen from the dead, He told His disciples; John 20:¹⁹ Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Have you ever experienced God’s peace? This is the reason Jesus came to make peace between man and God. Very few have accepted this peace. Paul wrote about his peace in this manner. Philippians 4:⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This is the gospel that we are to preach. Ephesians 6:¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. This is the ministry of reconciliation that we are to proclaim. Accepting what Jesus paid for and receiving the Holy Spirit, you have peace with God. This is what transcends all understanding. Fear can’t even touch you as you are in the Kingdom when you live in peace. Romans 14:¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s take a look at this ministry of reconciliation that Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 5. 2 Corinthians 5:¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I can tell you that I have experienced this peace first hand. Once you have a taste of this peace, you don’t want anything else. When the world comes against you and all you can do is stand in peace and you are not reacting like the world does. This why the world doesn’t understand this peace that guards your heart and mind in Jesus.

This peace can be used for other things as well. Read what Jesus said to the storm. Mark 4:³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

When you go and preach the gospel of peace, wherever you stay you are to greet the people and let your peace rest there. Matthew 10:¹¹ “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. ¹² And when you go into a household, greet it. ¹³ If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. ¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Peace is so important to operate from. That is why it is a fruit of the spirit. Galatians 5:²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Numbers 6:²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
²⁶ The Lord ^[e]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’ ²⁷ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”