Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Jesus gave his followers the gift of his own peace, protection against the tendency of humans hearts to become troubled or afraid. But it was not like the peace on offer in the world. We know that peace precisely by how fickle it is. The world gives peace when circumstances align enough that we can enjoy comfort and forget our worries. The peace of Jesus did not depend on circumstances. It could be had even during the dark hour of Jesus passion. But it could not be had passively. It was a gift, but a gift that must be used to be effective.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Fear and trouble come to us when we begin to believe lies of the enemy telling us that things are hopeless, out of control, and that there is nothing we can do. He insinuates that chance, or something worse, and not God, is in control of destiny. He assures us that though things are bad now they can always get worse. In order for the peace of Christ to be effective in our hearts we must not believe the lies of the enemy. We must actively replace them with the truth contained in the word of God: that we are loved more than we can imagine and that God holds our destiny and that of the whole world in his merciful hands. We must heed Paul, who wrote "be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (see Romans 12:2) and bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (see Second Corinthians 10:5).
When we begin to try to use the gift of peace given to us by Jesus the enemy tends to double down on his lies. He suggests that there are simply too many negative thoughts to capture and reject and that, in any case, to do so would not be realistic. It would instead, he suggests, leave us naïve and vulnerable. But there is a way past these lies, a way that does necessitate engaging the enemy in an argument. We can instead give our worries to God in the form of petitions. Then, if there is anything we are supposed to do to face the circumstances we can count on him telling us. This is a much better way to ensure will play whatever part we are meant to play than relying on fear to drive us.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:6-7).
This peace of Christ is not merely a pleasant subjective state. It is necessary for us to live as Christians. Without it fear will certainly hold us back. Troubled hearts will make it more difficult for us to hear from God because we will become too listless to listen. Living according to fear is living according to the enemy's lies rather than the truths we know by faith. Lives guided by deception rather than truth will not reach their full potential until the strongholds of falsehood are torn down (see Second Corinthians 10:4).
We can have peace and joy even amidst the trials and tribulations of life because they are the gifts of Christ to us, the gifts that are the fruit of the victory he has already won over sin, death, and the devil. Even the darkness of the passion is a joyous thing for Christians insofar as it leads inexorable to the resurrection.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.
The "ruler of the world" had no power over Jesus because Jesus did not fear him or believe his lies. But he probably maintains some power over us to the degree that we have not yet destroyed his every stronghold in our own minds. Jesus desires us to be as free as he himself was so that we may follow him unencumbered. Only such peace and freedom could explain how Saint Paul, after being stoned almost to death, got back up and returned to the city to proclaim the good news. Had he not done so the consequent fruit of "a considerable number of disciples" might not have been realized. May he pray for us that we too can fully experience the peace of Christ as he did.
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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