The Fruit of Peace

Midweek Study with Pastor Edith
August 12, 2024
John 14:23-27

I have experienced some of my most peaceful moments when I have held sleeping babies, or when I sat listening to a gentle rain on a metal roof. Still, I had to let go of my plans, thoughts and worries while experiencing these events and just tell myself; “stay peacefully in this moment”. In fact, I am trying to do that right now as I have a peaceful moment to write this knowing a busy week awaits. Hence a midweek posting at the beginning of the week.

Our text for today comes during a teaching and counseling time Jesus was having with his disciples. They did not like hearing that Jesus would be leaving them, and Jesus sometimes confused them by reminding them to obey his teachings. After all, many of the followers had left everything to follow and learn from Jesus. It’s easy to see from this side of the resurrection that Jesus was preparing them to change the world, and that would take loving obedience to the teachings of Christ in loving God and loving others. It would take a daily discipline to leave self out of the picture and choose to follow Jesus.

As we continue this journey in The Fruit of the Spirit, today we will look at the amazing peace that is available if we will choose to be still and live in the moment with the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word we translate as peace, means “a quiet rest, to be set at one with yourself again”. Robert Strand reflects on it this way;” The peace that Christ gives is not only in good circumstances of life, but it is a deep, abiding, inner tranquility in all kinds of life circumstances”. Strand tells the story of a friend who visited an elderly person who was terribly crippled with arthritis. When He asked the elderly person; “Do you suffer much? She responded, ‘Yes, but there is no nail here,’ and she pointed to her hand. ‘He had the nails, I have the peace’, She pointed to her head, ‘There are no thorns here. He had the thorns, I have the peace’. Then she touched her side and said; ‘There is no spear here. He had the spear, I have the peace” (Ralph Turnbull – quoted by Strand in Nine Fruits of the Spirit 1999 edition, New Leaf Press, Green Forest AR, pg.13).

In John 14:25-27 Jesus tells them that his heavenly Father would send a counselor, none other than the Holy Spirit, to teach and remind them of all that Christ himself tried to teach them while with them on earth. He encourages them that this would bring peace; “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid” (vs. 27). May you find comfort in God’s Word today, and may you experience peace right where you are. Take a breath and stay in the moment with the Holy Spirit.

Amen!