In the Gospel of John, Jesus says to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (14:1).
In my little circle, we’re stressed out right now. We’re anxious about a friend’s health. We’re worried about projects getting done on time. We’re uneasy about the state of the world.
And Jesus says not to let our hearts be troubled?
Yes, he does. And he says a few verses later: “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 hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (14:27).
This kind of peace doesn’t mean that all the worrisome things outside of us are changed—it doesn’t mean that suddenly our friends are healthy, our computers are cooperating, and our world leaders are wiser. No, it means that we are changed. Our hearts are changed.
This is the peace Jesus gives us. This is the peace of Christ.
This message is excerpted from “Peace. Pass it on” by Audrey Novak Riley from the June 28, 2017, blog of the Women of the ELCA. Today we commemorate Perpetua and Felicity and companions, martyrs at Carthage, 202.
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