So you may be thinking - "Wow didn't Jeremy just do a blog entry?" I know! I decided to live life on the wild side and do another one back to back. :) No the reality is; I was encouraged to write more blog entries, but make them shorter. So this is my attempt at both.
The other day I was walking in Meijers and thinking about the Scripture, "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 14:27 By itself this is great verse. Jesus, who knew no worries, is giving us His peace. Hmm. . . . However, this is what hit me. Jesus is Sar-Shalom. He is the Prince or RULER of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
As I was walking I was overwhelmed with this fact. Fighting back tears so I didn't look like a psycho walking through Meijers, I began to realize this promise of peace like I have never understood it before. Think about it. Jesus, the RULER of all peace is now giving us ALL of His peace. Is it any wonder that it is called a "peace which surpasses all understanding?" (Philippians 4:7)
To begin understanding this we have to know what peace we are being offered. The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom - still a common greeting and farewell between Jews today - literally means "being in a state of wholeness or with no deficiency. It was meant to act as a blessing on the one to whom it was spoken: "May your life be filled with health, prosperity, and victory."
In an attempt to shorten my posts. . . . I am going to end with a story of peace from the New Testament. May "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." In fact, let me say it correctly. . . "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Mark 4:35-40 (The Message)
35-38Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down?" 39-40Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
Now that's peace. . . . When it seems like the ship is sinking and the end is near, to take a nap without a care in the world.
I want to point out something. Jesus was in perfect peace. He was in total control. If He said lets cross over to the other side, then they were going to cross over. . . . Not drown. Nothing in our life takes Him be surprise. He isn't in heaven thinking. . . . "I didn't see that one coming." But did you notice that He did not act until the disciples cried out to Him.
He wants us to come boldly to the throne of Grace. Not in fear like these disciples, but instead asking for mercy and grace to help in the time of our need. You can ride the storm out with Jesus in the boat and make it to the other side, or you can ask Him to calm the sea. Either way, if Jesus is in the boat your going to make it to the other side!
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