John 14:27 Context
Jesus speaks these words to his disciples during his farewell discourse at the Last Supper. He is comforting his eleven remaining disciples and preparing them for his impending departure.
Jesus announces his gift of peace just after promising the coming presence of the Holy Spirit in verse 26.
John 14:27 Meaning
Jesus tells his disciples what he is leaving them, or bestowing upon them, letting them know ahead of time the inheritance that lay in store: peace—more specifically, his peace.
It is an assured, foundational, and eternal peace that only Jesus could give because only he was able to accomplish it: “But he was pierced for our transgressions.
He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds.
It is not the peace of the world.
While it was common for people of Jesus’ day to speak or wish peace to one another in greeting and in farewell—sincerely or not—any peace given in the world is conditional and temporary.
In contrast, not only did Jesus provide our peace, he is our peace.
Finally, knowing he will shortly finish the work of reconciling man to God, Jesus tells the disciples not to worry about or fear the earthly trials he knows will be coming their way.
John 14:27 Application
Jesus has given us his perfect peace. The world didn’t give it to us, and the world can’t take it away. It is ours.
But we make choices every day about whether we “let the peace of Christ rule” in our hearts (Colossians 3:15) or give in to worry or fear.
But how do we avoid sliding into anxiety, especially when someone or something in our world seems to be in danger?
Perhaps we should remind ourselves of the price Jesus paid for our peace.
And because we do have the peace of being reconciled to God, we can follow this directive found in Philippians 4:6–7: “Do not be anxious about anything.
But in every situation, 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.”
“But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.”