MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU
Sermon by Geoff Serpell: Easter 6: John 14: 23-29
“Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
What kind of peace you may well ask? David Beswick, a retired Uniting Church Minister says that it is a gift of wholeness, being made well, reconciled, saved, and knowing God. Peace and wholeness are brought together in the healing miracles of Jesus illustrated liberally throughout the four gospels.
From Old Testament times, peace was understood as a general state of wellbeing, and being in a good relationship with God. Peacemakers are the children of God said Jesus in His sermon on the mount. There is evil in the world to be overcome and the way of peace is not always recognized. Jesus paid the price of suffering and death to win a victory bringing peace.
Rev. Kim Cain tells us in his 17 May ‘Love to the World’ Bible commentary that a central theme in John’s gospel is about an advocate, a witness or comforter who will be present after the ascension of Jesus to be present even to us in our time. Abiding in Christ, a central Christian activity takes the form of peace beyond that provided by the world.
People talk about what they are most looking for in life, peace features high on the list. We seek peace and tranquillity from the noise of traffic, Inner peace when we are in chaos, World peace when for example, we are confronted with Russia trying to take over Ukraine in the most devastating manner, whilst just a bit of peace and quiet after a days’ work is much sought after by many.
We are not all blessed with negotiating skills and sometimes workers and bosses come to loggerheads about agreements on terms and conditions of employment. Our buses did not run last Friday so it was not peaceful on the roads in extra traffic getting kids to school. For too many women, who are living in a violent relationship, fear is normal, maintaining a fragile peace at the expense of their own interests. Speaking out against injustices or whistleblowing is not for the fainthearted and usually safer to keep the peace and keep your mouth shut. This may cause more issues to keep quiet and avoid, so it’s not always a safe option. Would you think it is better to speak out and address somehow about e.g., child abuse?
Jesus offers us peace without troubled hearts or fear. That is what we all hunger for. But in our gospel verses, Jesus is preparing to depart and leave us. Before he did leave, he promised us a Counsellor to be with us for ever, the spirit of truth, being the Holy Spirit. My Bible notes tells me that the Spirit will always stand by Christ’s people. In action and in essence the Spirit is characterized by truth. Jesus brings his people to the truth of God.
A little book written by Holly Wagner called:” Dumb things we do” includes tips on improving relationships between married couples. She gives playful and challenging advice on what you can do today to have a strong, loving, and peaceful relationship together.
One tip says:” do not try to fix your husband: it is not a good idea”. “It is better to honour each other with due respect and not be self-centred.” It is good to practise random acts of kindness. We need to be flexible and adaptable with each other for there to be peace in our homes. Holly asks, see what happens by trying it.
Places and situations where I have found peace include walking through bushland along some track with birdsong audible which I get at Nagambie on our conservation estate. We have built around 50 nesting boxes as your saw one this morning. I do not climb a ladder to put them up in trees any longer.
A Professor of Pastoral Counselling, Howard Clinebell told me at a conference in Toronto in 1993 that for each of his birthdays he spends the day hiking to the top of some mountain to be closer to God and finding peace. That is a hilltop experience.
Our youngest son, Andrew used to find peace after a hard day at his office, in our workshop, the building being well insulated. He could practise his trombone. each night without causing a revolt among the neighbours. He has gone on to be a professional jazz player in some great Melbourne night spots, whilst I can still see the evidence of his work as a stain from the water out of the instrument still showing on the concrete floor.
Can you recall that sense of relief and peace when you experienced achieving something that was very stressful in preparing? I found peace after singing a solo in front of 1000 patrons in a fundraising concert for Parkinson, Britain, at Pershore Cathedral. The song was called ‘Working Man” about a retired coalminer reminiscing about the lung disease rife in the industry and the arduous work in terrible conditions. I felt so relaxed and peaceful as I walked back to my place in the Victoria Welsh Choir, being so thankful that I had not forgotten the words.
Back in the sixties and seventies, when I was employed by Prince Henry’s Hospital in St Kilda Road, I attended a businesspersons’ lunchtime church service at Scots’ church Collins Street Melbourne. I do not remember any words said during the 15 years except most times when I was jumping back onto the tram with renewed energy, to get back to work were the peaceful words regularly said by the Minister, Rev Gordon Powell:’ Let Go and let God”!
Jan reminded me that when our three sons were each tucked up and asleep in their beds, it was our turn as parents to have some peace and quiet at the end of the long day. Lately as we face up to a celebration of 60 years of marriage this week, we have our peace, with a cup of tea each on arising accompanied by tuning into FM radio, “Golden Days” music for the over 50’s.and then having the daily reading out of the ‘Friendship Book’.
I have another little book called “Prayers of Peace” Let us share a few with you: –
“In the practice of daily prayer, we can find the blessing of God’s peace.”
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
Where there is peace, God is. -George Herbert
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.: – Psalm 34: 1-4
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.: – Ecclesiastes: 9:17
And Jesus said to the woman who had washed His feet, thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”- Luke 7:50
Dear God, Drop thy still dews of quietness, till all our strivings cease; Take from our souls the strain and stress, And let our ordered lives confess Thy beauty of thy peace.: – John Greenleaf Whittier [TIS hymn no 598
Eddie Askew writes in his book:” Disguises of Love”: “Maybe it helps us as we think about peace. The struggle for peace is won and lost, not in the outside world, but in the world within each one of us. It is the struggle to see ourselves as we really are, not only to ourselves but to God. Then we realize that He accepts us and surrounds us with His love. It’s when we come to terms with ourselves, and offer what we are to God, that the seed of ‘peace’ is established.
Let us pray: –
Oh, to find the peace that passes all understanding. The drama and frenetic of today’s average life is enough to make us crazy and bring us to our knees, crying out for peace.
Yet too many times we fail to realize that we have access to the kind of peace that no challenge- no matter how big and insurmountable it might seem- can shatter.
Peace that is deep and everlasting, because it comes from the greatest source of peace there is – the loving heart of God.