March 8
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.
The disciples of the Lord Jesus were in need of His comfort and His peace. ‘Comfort’ and ‘peace’ are two words that are closely related. Jesus came to bring peace for all people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah spoke of the Savior’s coming, and called Him the Prince of Peace. “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” Isaiah 9:6. Isaiah wrote those words over 700 years before Jesus was born.
On the night when Jesus was born, the angels spoke to the shepherds about the Babe born in Bethlehem as one who would bring peace for people. The angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord . . . And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” Luke 2:10-11, 13-14.
During the days of His public ministry, Jesus constantly proclaimed a message of peace and pardon, which is comforting to sinners. Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” John 14:27. Jesus was talking about the peace of God, not the type of peace with which the world struggles among men and nations. The peace of God is the proclamation that God has pardoned us for Jesus’ sake, and that is the most comforting message.
On Easter evening, the Lord Jesus appeared to His fear-filled disciples who were hiding behind locked doors and His first words to them were, “Peace be with you,” John 20:19. What effect did it have upon His fear-filled disciples? “The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord,” John 20:20. One week later, Jesus came to the hiding disciples again, and He gave them the same greeting, “Peace be to you.”
The Epistles of Paul, James, Peter, John, and Jude frequently carry the greeting, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ephesians 1:2. God’s grace, His undeserved love revealed through Christ, is a message of peace. God is at peace with you. Your sins are all forgiven. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and make that peace your very own. Listen to God’s forgiving voice, “Son, daughter, your sins are washed away by the precious blood of Jesus!” Now quit running to get away from God! Turn around, and in the Gospel, behold the loving face of your forgiving heavenly Father!
“By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless;
My soul, believe, and doubt it not…
Why stagger at this word of promise?
Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught?
Nay; then, this word must true remain:
By grace thou, too, shalt heav’n obtain.” Amen.