Peace!

Pastor Jake Esperanza

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:26-27 (NIV)

Advocate – Greek (Strong dictionary) parakletos, phon: par-ak'-lay-tos;
          An intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter;

Advocate – Greek  (Thayer dictionary),
          one who is summoned, called to one’s side to help - before a judge, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate; pleads another’s cause with one, an intercessor; the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom

 Peace – Greek (Strong Dictionary) eirēnē, phon:  i-rah'-nay,
          peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - being one with God, peace, quietness, rest

Peace – Greek (Strong Dictionary)

1. a state of national tranquillity, exemption from the rage and havoc of war; 
2. peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3. security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4. of the Messiah’s peace, the way that leads to peace (salvation)
5. of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.


Romans 5:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
Psalm 34:12-14 (NIV) 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.


Someone once said that peace is the rarest of all commodities on earth.  And since it is rare, people think it is expensive.  I once heard of an anecdote of a rock star who said he is willing to pay a million dollars to someone who can give him a few minutes of peace.

We search for peace, everywhere, anyhow. We long to have peace, the cessation of war raging around us and from war raging from within.  We search for peace in the world and in all the world has to offer.  We search for true peace in a world incapable to hold what is true.  We search for concrete peace in a world that is fading away.  We long for peace and search for peace in a place and through a mean where it could not be found.  Just like what the good Lord said, the world offers peace that is not peace at all.

We seek peace through power, hoping that if we have control and power over men, we will have peace but we all know this is never accomplished.  The scandal-ridden politics everywhere speak clearly of this. We search for peace through fame – yes we want the approval of men but unfortunately, even famous comedians commit suicide because of lack of peace and the lack of joy that follows it.  We seek peace in material things.  We are desperately hoping that if we have expensive tangible things, the void in us will be filled.  We buy cars, houses, gadgets; we thought we are buying trophies but all that we accumulate are junks that will need to be replaced by something that is more updated and more expensive.  We search for peace in our relationships with others and many end up in a relationship that instead of bringing peace, destroys what little peace is there left. We search for peace in the wrong place, as one would desperately seek a river in a barren desert.  You might as well want to get away from the desert first.

Jesus said, “Peace I give to you. I don’t give peace as the world gives.”  Not through power, fame, wealth, nor illicit relationships but through the Holy Spirit.   “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit will come… Peace will be given. (John 14:26-27).  It is only through the Spirit of God that one can have the peace that comes not from the world but from God (Galatians 5:22).

So how are we to pursue the Holy Spirit?  There is the necessity to be born in the Spirit (John 3:3,5) because only the children of God are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14).  How then can you become a child of God?  We are given the opportunity to become children of God if we believe in Jesus and accept Him for who He is – our personal Lord and Savior (John 1:12).  Open your heart to Him, invite Him to come and He will come in (Revelations 3:20).  Listen to Him as He invites you, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV).  For the first time, you will experience real peace – peace that is exhilarating; peace that is beyond our ability to comprehend (Philippians 4:7)

But even in the family of God, there seems to be a shortage of peace.  And we see the reasons why.  Because “the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12, NIV).  We remember the prodigal son.  He was a child of the Father (representing God) but was only able to enjoy peace when He was at peace with his Father.  If we want the peace of God, we must be reconciled with God.  If we want peace of God in our hearts, we must say no to disobedience once and for all.  There must be reconciliation with God before any peace is possible.  Peace is reserved for the repentant and obedient.  When he experienced peace again, the prodigal son might have asked himself what took him so long to come back to the embrace of the Father who loves him beyond measure.  Be at peace with the Father.

14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  Psalm 34:14 (NIV)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)