Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "Here's something to remember me by"? Then that person gives you a little memento or a token. This Scripture is Jesus's version to you. It comes out of John chapter 14, verse 27. Here's what it says: "I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart. The peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid."
Peace is what Jesus is giving you to remember Him by. I want to paint a picture for you, and I actually have an object lesson for us today. This Bible was my grandpa's Bible. It's got all of his notes and his highlights. Well, this is crazy. Look at this. There’s so much highlighted in here because he was actively living in the Word of God. He loved it so much. He passed a few years ago. As we were going through his things, his Bible was one of the things left. I got to take it home with me, and now I get to add all of my notes into the notes that he has. There's legacy here. The binding is even starting to fall apart. There's just so much life that's happened with this Bible.
Remembering Jesus Through Peace
When I take it home, there's never a moment where I forget my grandpa. I attach his relationship to me to my relationship with the Word. There's a connection. I remember my grandpa when I use his Bible, and I can't help but shake the feeling that Jesus is saying the same thing to us through this Scripture. He says, "I have a gift for you. It's peace." It's almost like He's saying, I want you to remember Me by the gift that I'm giving to you. It's fun too, because His name in Scripture is the Prince of Peace, so it's His to give to begin with. Peace is so important in your mind and in your heart.
He makes a contrast. He says, "The world can't give it to you," but the world is trying to push a lot on us these days. They're saying, if you just do this, if you think this way, then all of those thoughts, all of those worries and fears will go away. If you just do what I tell you to do.
The World's Counterfeit Peace
I think about a quality product, like a watch, something like a Rolex. The amount of time and effort it takes to make this piece. I'm not wearing a Rolex, by the way. This is a $15 watch from Amazon. But if I were to compare this watch to a Rolex, the intricacy of the Rolex to this watch—so much better. But if I were to get something that looks like a Rolex at a discounted price, think of how quickly that thing would fall apart. You know those websites where you can get the discounted items because they look like the real thing?
The world's version of peace is exactly like that. They're trying to create and make something that is close to what Jesus offers. But when you try it on and you wear it for a little bit, it starts falling apart within the first few wears. Then you have to go back and get some more of it later. The one thing that Jesus promises, though, is that His peace will not fall apart. He's the origin of it to begin with.
Ask for His Peace
As you're processing through, how do I remember Jesus in this situation? How do I keep Him at the front of my mind? remember Him through the peace that He gives and ask Him for it if you don't feel it. Take some time. Sit with Him and say, Lord, I know you said this is a gift from You and I'm not feeling it right now. Can You help me receive it again? He'll meet with you in those moments. He's met with me in those places as well.
In Scripture it says the peace of God guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Let His peace protect you and guard you and remind you of His love for you.
