10-DAY HOLY SPIRIT CHALLENGE: Day 7 “My peace I give to you”


 

Scripture text: Gospel of St. John 14.25-31

     “Trust me”.  Often, these words signal to us that the person speaking is about to do something reckless or perhaps pretending to know something they don’t.  Trust is often an implicit, instinctive thing.  If the person seeking our trust must ask for it, we suspect that something isn’t right.

     Trust takes a long time to build, remains ever fragile and can easily be destroyed.  Trust, as we often understand it, implies predictability.  A trustworthy person, we think, is someone who can be counted on to always act in the same way and the quality of whose character stands the test of time. 

     As he shares his Last Supper with the apostles, Jesus knows that his death is near.  How to prepare his friends for what’s coming?  How can he ensure that they will continue to trust (believe in) him after he’s gone?  Jesus knows that the Father has a plan – a plan to reclaim his rebellious world.  The followers of Jesus will be sent on a mission to the ends of the earth to proclaim salvation in Jesus’ name.  But as they are reclining around the table, Jesus also knows that his apostles are not yet ready for this mission.  He knows that their trust in him will be tested to the breaking point and beyond in the hours and days to come. 

     And so, Jesus promises his friends that his Father will send them the Spirit who will remind them of his words.  Jesus leaves his peace with the apostles.  He tells them not to be afraid.  The fact is, Jesus has no fear, he is at peace.  Jesus knows that “the ruler of this world is coming, but he has no power over him” (Jn. 14.30).  As Jesus had said before, no one takes the life of the good shepherd; he lays it down willingly for the life of the sheep (cf. Jn. 10.17-18; 15.12-13).  Jesus’ trust in his Father is absolute.  He loves his Father and is completely surrendered to his will.  Jesus is thoroughly convinced that his Father knows best and that the safest place to be is in the centre of his will.  Whatever is coming, the end result for Jesus will not be death, but rather, to be held close to his Father’s heart (Jn. 1.18; 13.25).  Jesus knows that everything that is about to happen is for the good of his friends; they will benefit from his death, resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  As St. John has told us, the Spirit could only be given once Jesus had been “glorified”, that is to say, “lifted up” on the cross (cf. Jn. 7.39). 

     And so, the reason we should trust Jesus is because he trusts the Father.  If we trust God, we should trust Jesus, who trusts the Father unquestioningly (cf. Jn. 14.1).  Allow the Spirit to remind you of Jesus’ confidence in the Father’s love and in his trustworthiness.

A prayer for peace in times of trouble

Lord, give Your people Your peace that we may shine brightly in a dark world. Grant us the courage to live faithfully even in the midst of hard times. Let our fear of You be the beginning of wisdom rather than allowing the fear of the world to drive our actions. Help us to embrace our heavenly citizenship and live strangely in the midst of a world that needs to know You.  

Show Your mercy and heal those who are suffering in Your fallen creation. Most of all Lord, come. Restore the world You have made and make all things new. We pray that Your will would be done. Amen.

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