It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.
Paul and Barnabas knew this all too well. After all, Paul had just been stoned and left for dead. But a hardship can be endured in two ways. We can grit our teeth and try to bear it on our own. Or we can endure it with the peace that comes from Jesus.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
The peace that the world gives can only run away in the face of many hardships. Or else that peace must be maintained with violence. Only the peace of Jesus can persist right in the midst of our trials. Jesus helps his disciples come to a deeper trust in him. He is going to the Cross. He wants his disciples to stick with him as long as they can. Those who truly internalize this lesson are able to stand by his side as he gives his life for the salvation of the world. Those who merely look to Jesus to supplement their experience of the peace and comfort of this world end up running away. The ruler of this present darkness has no power over those who know the peace of Christ.
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
In order to experience the peace of Jesus we need to believe that God has a plan. We need to trust that plan. We don't necessarily need to understand it. It may be given to us to understand bits and pieces of it and this may be important. But we can't depend on our understanding for peace. Peace comes from trust alone. We can trust that God makes all this work together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (see Romans 8:28). This enables us, like Paul and Barnabas, to proclaim the Kingdom no matter the cost to ourselves.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
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