Perfect Peace

Perfect Peace

John 14:23–29

Imagine being one of Jesus’ disciples: as he taught and encouraged... prepared his closest friends and followers for what was to come.

Imagine walking along side Jesus. Witnessing His miracles... hearing His words with you own ears... when He begins to talk about leaving. And not just that... but He speaks of betrayal, of denial, and of going somewhere where you cannot yet follow.

Much like the disciples, I’m pretty sure our hearts would be troubled, to say the least.

This is the “backdrop” of John 14. Jesus is preparing His disciples for the cross, resurrection, and ascension. And in their fear, He speaks peace. He gives them—and us—a promise: despite the fact that His time “in the flesh” was coming to an end... He would not... and will not... abandon us. He loves us too much to ever abandon us...

To stress this: Jesus makes a simple yet profound statement: those who love Him will keep His word. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…” (v.23) We could just as easily hear, “if YOU love me, YOU will keep my word.”

Jesus is not talking about legalistic rule-keeping, or being a Pharisee... it’s relational obedience. The love of Christ leads to joyful submission to the teachings of Christ.

Listen: True love for Christ produces a life shaped by His Word. Think all the way back to chapter one of John’s Gospel. “In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” It’s the basis for SOLA SCRIPTURA... the doctrine of God’s Word being authoritative, and infallible. Scripture is our rule and guide. The Word of God, that became Flesh and lived among us, came to lead us into righteousness, the righteousness of God.

Of course, in Reformed theology, we affirm that while we are justified by faith alone, that faith is never alone—it always bears fruit. The Word must bear fruit through our lives... the evidence of Faith. And as our lives reflect the evidence of faith...

Here’s the promise: For those who obey (as we humbly submit our lives to the Word of God)... Jesus says, “My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” This is covenantal language. It’s repeated time and again in the OT: Genesis, Exodus, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people!” God will dwell with His people who obey His Word. No longer in a tent or a temple, but in the hearts of those who love Christ.

But how?

Well, Jesus said, “the Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (v.26)

What a powerful assurance. Jesus would soon ascend to the right hand of the Father... but He promised to send His disciples a Helper—the Parakletos—the Holy Spirit, our advocate, comforter, counselor... He will dwell within believers, just as Jesus and the Father dwell with them.

For the apostles, this promise meant they would remember and rightly understand the teachings of Christ, leading to the writing of the New Testament.

For us, it means the Spirit illuminates God’s Word, convicts us of sin, encourages us in difficulties, and grows us in holiness.

The Spirit is not just with us—He is within us... constantly ministering to us, leading us, empowering us, through the Word of God.

Jesus comforted his disciples, saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” (v.27)

Jesus gifted His disciples with true peace. But not the kind of temporary, shallow, dependent on circumstances peace of this world. The peace of Christ is rooted in reconciliation with God.

Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It’s a peace that comes from knowing who and Whose you are!

This is not an absence of all the things that make us human. We’re still prone to worry, and fear, and all the other things of this life that remind us that we’re in need of a Savior.

Jesus’ promise of peace is a promise of presence. It’s covenantal peace. The war between God and sinner is over. Christ has borne the wrath. We are made sons and daughters of the Most High. Peace is our inheritance.

The disciples were sorrowful because Jesus was leaving. But He said to them, “If you truly understood, you would rejoice!” Why? Because His return to the Father meant His mission was complete.

The cross was not a defeat; it was victory.

This is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning. From His place at the Father’s right hand, Christ rules, intercedes, and empowers through His Spirit.

Christ’s absence is not abandonment—it is exaltation! Jesus told his disciples, He was giving them these promises in advance, so that when they came to pass, they would believe: their faith would be strengthened (v.29).

What about us? Do we love Christ? Is our love evidenced in obedience to His Word? Do we trust the power and presence of His Spirit, that fills us with true, covenantal peace?

Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Rest in His peace. Trust His promises. You are never alone.

He promises presence, peace, and power—not because we deserve it, but because He loves us.

Let us hold fast to Christ, for we can rest assured, He is holding fast to us. Let us walk in obedience by the Spirit. And let us live in the peace that passes all understanding.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

Amen.