More Than 3 Days of Peace
If you were to have visited the quaint little hamlet of Bethel, New York, fifty-four years ago today, you would have found it quite a mess. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair held on Max Yasgur’s dairy farm had just ended. The festival promised “3 Days of Peace & Music.” But what was not advertised was probably three weeks of cleanup afterwards.
For those of us old enough to remember the 1960s and 70s, the word “peace” likely conjures up a picture of the anti-war movement – Hippies flashing peace signs as they protested the Vietnam War or the “make love not war” anti-war phrase that was voiced not only by hippies and college students but also by average American families and even some who were engaged in the actual fighting in Vietnam. And by all accounts, along with an excess of drugs, make love not war and peace also flowed freely at the festival during those three muddy days in August 1969.
While peace is most often thought of in the context of a lack of conflict or violence, today I want to dig into another kind of peace, the kind of peace that only comes from Jesus. I am talking about an inner peace that brings calmness and a sense of safety, a sense of serenity, even in the midst of a warring and divisive world all around us.
On the night before He was crucified, Jesus delivers what is known as the Farewell Address (John Chapters 14-17) to the remaining eleven disciples. Early in that address Jesus tells the eleven that he will going away to the Father (14:1-11), which I am sure created quite a bit of consternation within each of them. In today’s language, maybe we say, “He rocked their boat.”
Immediately after dropping that bombshell, Jesus then tells his guys that he will be sending the Holy Spirit to guide them (14:15-26). But Jesus goes even further in trying to calm their fears. Here is what we find in v.27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Those comforting words are bookends to the is entire section, as Jesus began his address like this – “Let your hearts not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (14:1).
This peace Jesus speaks of is a mystery, it surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This peace that Jesus speaks of is not being exempt from internal (or external) troubles. In fact, Jesus himself had been troubled by his pending crucifixion (John 12:27). Instead, what I believe Jesus is offering is a different kind of peace. Notice Jesus offers not just any peace, he offers my peace, which I truly believe gives us an untroubled and unfearful heart in a world that is full of trouble, in a world that gives us much to be fearful about.
The world fights for peace, it negotiates for peace, but ultimately the peace found in this world is only temporary. It is a false peace, one based strictly upon circumstances. Jesus does not fight for, or negotiate for, peace, but instead, He is peace, and he freely gives it away to all who trust in Him. You can have that kind of peace in the midst of whatever trouble swirls around you today, regardless of whether that trouble lurks right on your doorstep or is halfway around the world.
So, today, make it a priority to pray for a reassuring faith that will allow you to have not just some temporary peace, like those three days at Woodstock, but a permanent peace that is offered to you by Jesus, who among other things, is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
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