Peace in Christ

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

• What is your expectation for peace in the world?
• While spoken to the apostles, do you think this is restricted to the apostles? Explain.
• Where is peace found?
• How does Christ's overcoming the world encourage you?

Harold's Musings:
We sometimes seem surprised that we have troubles. To hear some speakers or read their words, if you have troubles it is because of sin. They seem to proclaim the opposite of what Christ stated. This states one of the blessings found in Christ: peace. Peace in knowing that whatever the world throws at you, Christ has overcome the world. Peace does not mean happy all the time. Peace does not mean laughing when tragedy strikes. Peace is knowing that regardless of the outcome of the trouble you are in Christ and he is greater than the world.

Peace of Christ

John 14:27

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.

• Where does the peace of Christ come from?
• When Jesus talks about the world here, is he talking about the world's peace or the world's giving?
• What troubles your heart most frequently?
• What causes you to be afraid most frequently?
• How does the peace of Christ rule your fears and troubles?

Harold's Musings:
Sounds good, doesn't it? Peace. Jesus states that he is leaving peace behind and he is giving it to his followers. Like I said, it sounds good. It is good, but it may not be what I think it is. Jesus states that I have to deal with the troubled and afraid heart. He promises peace, real peace, permanent peace, eternal peace. My human nature wants peace here and now. I want to be untroubled and unafraid now and without effort. Peace is not found in a bottle or pill. Peace is found in our hope of eternal life. When I focus on the waiting inheritance and not on the stuff of the here and now, I can have peace.

Jesus may have been angry

John 2:13-21

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

• What indication(s) do you see that Jesus was angry?
• How long does it take to make a whip of cords?
• What was Jesus' purpose in doing what he did?
• As an obedient Jewish boy, how many times had he been to temple for Passover?
• How many times had he seen the "house of trade"?
• Why violence now?

Harold's Musings:
I can see where people would conclude Jesus was in a fit of rage here. Unfortunately a fit of rage is about being out of control and acting without thinking. That is sinful. Jesus took the time to make the whip, which he probably needed to drive out the sheep and cattle. Was Jesus angry about what he saw? I think he could have been, but it does not say so. I know scholars have argued if this is the same event as the cleansing after the triumphant entry. I believe this was the first time Jesus went to Passover after the Holy Spirit came down on him. I believe the sense of offense was greater than previous visits to the temple. This passage does NOT give us permission to be full of rage, even "righteous rage". This was about the physical temple of God. That building does not exist today. Blowing up abortion clinics because Jesus cleaned the temple cannot be justified. Blowing up at a person who dares question our belief in Jesus cannot be justified. Anger happens. You can choose what causes anger and you can choose what to do with the anger. Do not let Satan use either side of your anger.

You've gotta confess it

John 12:42-43

42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

• How would the authorities have confessed Christ?
• How would the Pharisees know that these authorities had confessed Christ?
• What prices have you had to pay for your confession of Christ?
• Is confession of Christ a one-time thing or a continuous challenge?
• How do you confess Christ in your daily walk?
• When you are reluctant to confess Christ, whose approval are you concerned about?
• What glory from God are you seeking?

Harold's Musings:
Interesting passage. Particularly for those who state that all that matters is believing. These rulers or local authorities believed in Jesus as the Christ, but they stopped at belief. I'm curious about what was obvious when someone confessed Jesus. Somehow the Pharisees would know. Was it just a one-time verbal acknowledgment or was there some continual action? Did those who confessed follow Jesus around as he moved through the city? Where there assemblies where those who had confessed listened to Jesus teach? There was something involved with confession that was noticeable. Are you a Christian in hiding or are you willing to keep on confessing?