The Secret of True Peace
The Sunday we continue our series on our Lord’s teaching about the Holy Spirit, in John chapters 14-16. With his departure approaching, Jesus promised to ask the Father to send another Advocate, the Holy Spirit. One who in power and love, would continue the ministry Jesus began in his days on earth (John 14.16). The Spirit came at Pentecost and we enjoy the fruits of his beautiful ministry until Christ returns. This Sunday we consider his work bringing us peace. Our Old Testament paints a rich picture of the life of ‘Shalom’ or peace, a right ordering and flourishing of humankind’s relationships with the Creator, the good earth, society and the self (Psalm 29.11; 37.10-22; 119.161-168). This picture resonates with our dreams, but too easily we find our peace slip away, our dreams unfulfilled. The good news: Jesus reveals that true and lasting peace can be found, since the Spirit has come (John 14.22-27). And we have a role to play to be the kind of people that live into that satisfying peace.
Reflection Questions
1. Describe a time when you experienced wholeness in the four dimensions of life, all at the same time! In your relationship to your Creator; to the good earth; to your neighbour; at peace with yourself.
2. The Old Testament speaks of this wholeness as ‘shalom’ or peace. Read the following descriptions of that wholeness, as described in the Psalms: Psalm 29.7-11; Psalm 37.7-11; & Psalm 119.164-165.
Now imagine yourself as an Israelite, standing under your own olive tree, looking out over the harvesters working on your family land, on a warm afternoon outside Bethlehem, in Judah. Perhaps in the great peace of King Solomon’s reign. Take pen and paper in hand, and in a few paragraphs imaginatively describe what you see.
3. Reflect on the life of Jesus. How did he live in peace with his human neighbour? What did he do to pursue peace or wholeness in relationship to neighbour? (Clue: John 5.1-8).
4. (a)What did Jesus oppose in order to pursue peace or wholeness for his neighbour? (Clue: John 5.8-16).
(b) Jesus speaks of ‘my peace’ John 14.27. Spend some time praising Jesus his peace: for the beautiful way he demonstrated peace in his relationship to the Father; the good earth; his human neighbour; and in his own self.
5. In John 14.27 Jesus promises the peace we long for, saying: ’Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
(a) How does the presence of the Father and the Son dwelling with the disciple, assist them when they feel that isolation that takes away peace? (John 14.23-24).
(b) Is there an area of your life where you might more fully pursue love and obedience to Jesus’ (v23) in order to taste the special presence of Father and Son?
(c) Consider again the four dimensions of peace, or shalom- in relationship to Creator, neighbour, the good earth, the self. How might the disciple of Jesus expect to know peace now in these dimensions? How might we have to await till the great day when peace envelops the whole earth, at Christ’s return? Give Scriptures to support your answer.