(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

In the preceding exposition I looked at the first 14 verses of the chapter in the context of Jesus' great statement: "I am the way and the truth and the life." Jn14v6. I think that the concluding 16 verses can be used to elaborate Jesus' promise to his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." v25

One of the problems I have with the passage under consideration is that on first reading it seems a far cry from my experience. I wonder to what I extent I know the Holy Spirit. Does Jesus show himself to me when I keep his commandments? Have I really received Christ's own peace? Has he given it to me when my heart has been troubled?

As William Barclay explains in his commentary on John: Peace never simply means the absence of trouble. Peace means everything which makes for our highest good. When we are at peace in this sense we have an overwhelming awareness of well being. We feel good!

(B) The world's route to peace.

Now I would not claim that the world or non-Christians have no peace. Many do have a sense of well-being. Jesus is saying that his way to peace is different from the world's. Barclay writes helpfully: The peace which the world offers us is the peace of escape, the peace which comes from the avoidance of trouble, the peace which comes from refusing to face things.

Let us look at some circumstances where we may lack peace and the world's remedy:

(1) Life in a nerve shattering environment.
I knew a Christian lady who kept 6 large dogs. During the day while she was at work they barked and barked. It drove her neighbours crazy. They had no peace in any sense. They hated both the lady and her dogs. The world's remedy would be to remove or muzzle the dogs.

(2) A break down in relationships.
We all know what can happen when a husband and wife spend all their time rowing and bickering - separation and divorce.

(3) A tedious, humdrum existence doing a repetitive job in a unattractive environment.
The world's answer is to live it up in the evenings, weekends and on holiday. Spend spare time in pursuit of entertainment and excitement.

(4) The frustration of our desires.
We may long for success, popularity, recognition, possessions or love. The world's advice is to grab what you can.

(C) The peace that Jesus gives.

Jesus gives believers the peace that he had here on earth. William Barclay writes: The peace which Jesus offers us is the peace of conquest. It is the peace which no experience in life can ever take from us. It is the peace which no sorrow, no danger, no suffering can make less. It is the peace which is independent of outward circumstances.

This might sound too good to be true to a realist like myself. I think it will help us to understand what Jesus meant by considering those times when we are conscious of well being - when we are at peace.

(1) When we experience the goodwill and love of others.

It makes a huge difference to a politician to be happy at home with his wife and children. Mrs Thatcher could bear the antagonism of her enemies the better because of the loving support of her husband, Dennis.

I occasionally taught a class of children during my career that had the utmost goodwill toward their teacher. They would sit in their Geography lesson with smiling faces radiating happiness. It made me feel good. It was the greatest tonic a teacher could have.

In my youth, which seems a long way off now, I worked as a sports organiser for a Christian camp. I experienced a lot of affection there. Sometimes I could hardly walk for little girls hanging on to me!! This outpouring of love greatly raised my spirits and contributed to my well-being.

Now when Jesus was on earth he was despised and rejected. He was frequently confronted by antagonistic and hostile opponents. There were times when the bitter enmity of the Jews disturbed him deeply. See exposition on: the raising of Lazarus. However, Jesus' well being was unassailable because he was aware of the goodwill and love of his Father in heaven. God proclaimed at Christ's transfiguration: "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Mt17v5. In our passage Jesus told his disciples that he was going to the Father and that if anyone obeyed him: "My Father will love him." God would hardly love us for obeying Jesus if he did not first love him. Later Jesus affirmed that God the Father loved him before the creation of the world. John17v24. Jesus was at peace because he knew that the most important relationship, that between him and his Father, was strong, sound and mutually satisfying.

This is the peace that Jesus gives to all believers. The angelic hosts proclaimed at Christ's birth: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men." Lk2v14. AV. The angels were able to sing this song because of the wonderful truth expressed in the words spoken to the shepherds: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord." v11. AV. Paul writing to the Romans states: But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rms5v8. If God is for us who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Rms8v31.

We receive the assurance of God's love for us by faith in Jesus. He gives sure and certain knowledge of God's overwhelming love for us when we commit our lives to him. John writes in his first epistle: And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1Jn4v16. This knowledge will sustain, strengthen and comfort us in times of trouble and persecution. The early Salvation Army workers faced violent opposition in the East End of London. The working class evangelists and their supporters rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer persecution for Christ's sake.

(2) When help is at hand.

As I get older I am inclined to worry whenever I undertake a long journey in my old and unreliable car. Long gone are the days of my youth when I would go anywhere on my motor scooter. I am reassured on starting a long journey by my membership of the AA. I know that if I break down there is someone I can call on for help. That gives me peace of mind.

A lot of old people live in a state of perpetual anxiety because they have no-one to turn to in trouble. What a huge difference it makes to have someone there for you. I used to visit Whinny, an old lady in her late 80's, who lived in a small terraced house in Bury St Edmunds. She had a very young, rather dashing, painter and decorator for a neighbour. Whinny would say of Len, "He'd do anything for me." What a difference that knowledge made to her sense of well being.

Jesus consistently taught that God is the Father of all who believe on the Son. He taught us to pray: "Our Father .... ." Paul wrote to the Galatians: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Gal4v4and5. If God is our Father than he is there for us - ready to help us in time of need. Jesus said: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Mt7v11. One of the greatest promises in the New Testament is found in Paul's epistle to the Philippians: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil4v6and7. See exposition on: The peace that passeth understanding.

If I broke down on some lonely lane on a dark winter's night I would be highly agitated if there was no prospect of help arriving. I might even be uneasy waiting for assistance. Great would be my relief at the arrival of the AA patrol man - someone with the ability to cope with a situation that was beyond me.

I can remember turning up to help a colleague move her oil tank. A few of us stood in her leafy garden drinking coffee wondering how we were going to manage. As we contemplated the task of shifting a large and cumbersome container we were not at peace. Then John arrived on the scene. Immediately the situation changed. He was cheerful; he was confident; he knew how it could be done and he soon organised us to accomplish the task with the minimum of effort.

When Jesus was on earth he relied on God the Father to help him in all he did. Jesus said in the temple: "I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." John8v28and29. In our present passage Jesus said: "These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me." v24. "I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." v31. Jesus and his Father worked together.

Jesus told his disciples: "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever - the Spirit of truth." v16. The Holy Spirit is like any earthly helper who comes along side in times of trouble, difficulty and perplexity and provides assistance. He helps the followers of Jesus even as Jesus helped his disciples when he was here on earth. The only difference is that the Holy Spirit communicates directly to our minds. He does not use words that we can hear but he does provide thoughts that we think and feelings that we feel. So the Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Bible, directs us to passages of Scripture to guide us in times of difficulty, assists us as we deliver the gospel message, applies that message to unbelieving hearts, reassures us in times of acute distress, emboldens us when in need of courage and conveys to us God's approval.

There are many choice references to the work of the Holy Spirit: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Rom3v16. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Rom3v26. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 1John4v13.

So many Christians have been equipped for the task God has given them to do by the Holy Spirit. I have read recently the biographies of C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther King, William Booth, John Wesley and Martin Luther. All of them were made strong and given the victory by the Holy Spirit. Roy Hattersley writes of William Booth: The church of England denounced him. The Wesleyans ostracised him. The Establishment derided him. The brewers and publicans assaulted him. But he never flinched from his vocation. His physical courage was immense and his moral courage even greater. General Booth's whole life was a triumph for certainty. Roy Hattersley does not acknowledge the part played by the Holy Spirit in giving Booth the confidence and assurance to carry on with God's work in the teeth of persistent and spiteful opposition.

(3) When we have done all we can.

I used to worry about school exams until I was old enough to adopt a philosophical approach. I prepared to the best of my ability; I did all I could do and then relaxed knowing I could not blame myself for failure. I have heard boxers talk like this before going into a championship fight. If a heavyweight trains assiduously for a forthcoming bout he can rest easy on the eve of the contest knowing he could do no more.

Arthur Gee told a frequently repeated story:

Long ago a farmer went to market at the time of the 'hirings' and looked about for a lad to work on his farm. Chatting with one, he said "Well my lad, what can you do?"

"I can plough and reap," was the reply.

Another said, "I can milk cows and tend sheep."

A third said he could groom horses.

Then the farmer met a fourth boy. "Now, my lad," said he, "what can you do on the farm?"

"I sleep well on windy nights," replied the lad touching his cap.

The farmer was so struck with this unexpected answer that he engaged the youth at once, and soon found he had made a good bargain, for everything the lad did, he did well.

One wild night the wind reached gale force, and the farmer never had a wink of sleep. He was sure that daylight would show him an empty stack yard - or, at any rate, half his stacks would be scattered far and wide. When he went down to the kitchen and found the lad there he asked if he had been able to sleep.

"Like a top," said the lad.

This nettled the farmer. "You wouldn't have slept like a top if they'd been your stacks," he retorted. "I've been awake all night wondering what would happen to them."

"Oh," said the lad quietly, "I didn't worry about them. I thatched the stacks myself - so I knew they'd be safe."

Jesus had peace because he knew that he did and said what God wanted him to do and say. He affirms this on many occasions. He said: "But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me." Jn14v31. "I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love." Jn15v10. "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." Jn17v4. Jesus knowledge that he was obediently carrying out the great work that God had set him guarded his heart and mind.

Obedience to the commands of Christ is the way to peace. Jesus said: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him." v23. This has been my experience. I can remember when I resigned from teaching and suggested to my brothers that they pay me small amounts of money by way of financial compensation I got a very unpleasant letter from one of them. I did what I find difficult to do. I turned the other cheek. I threw the letter away and have no recollection now of the contents. I was at peace. There have been times in the life of my church when the members have totally ignored my advice. As an elder and leader of the church I could have insisted on my rights but in obedience to Jesus' teaching on the cloak and the coat I didn't. I was at peace. Of course there have been plenty of occasions that I have been disobedient to the teaching of Jesus and then there has been no peace.

I love the words of the great apostle Paul: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2Tim4v7and8.

Paul had served his Master with every ounce of his being. (See 2Cor6v3to10.) He gave his all for the sake of the gospel. So as Paul neared the end of his life he was conscious of Divine approval and Christ's peace, the peace that passes all understanding, guarded his heart and mind from anxiety, fear and despair.

May the mind of Christ my Saviour
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and power controlling
All I do and say.