Ongoing conflicts, wars, and spiritual unrest define our world, especially in Israel and the Middle East.
Luke 19:41-44
Jesus Wept over Jerusalem
41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!
Because His peace is resilient and unaffected by circumstances, rooted in divine love that never wavers.
As I reflect, I cannot overlook the significance of John 14.
It was precisely there (in Jerusalem) that Jesus spoke into chaos, directing his words to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives…” (John 14:27).
Wow, these words were spoken after the moment of betrayal, when Judas turned against Jesus and was exposed at the supper table. The Lord was preparing His disciples for His imminent departure. He understood that the crucifixion was His purpose, and He would not leave without providing them with what they needed most.
In John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my [own] peace I now give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
As Christ prepared to leave this world, He entrusted His soul to the Father, His body for burial, and His mother to the disciple whom He loved. But what could He leave to His disciples who would carry the gospel forward, He left them something divine—His peace. “I leave you, but I leave my peace with you. I not only give you a title to it, but my peace as a gift.
This peace is not just a concept or a state of mind; it is tied directly to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Earlier in the same chapter, Jesus said,
John 14:15-31
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
“Peace (Shalom) I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives..” (John 14:27).
The world’s peace is a false peace, accompanied by sin, which causes endless problems. In contrast, Christ’s peace begins with grace, exists without sin, and ultimately results in eternal peace that no one can steal. Those who are part of the covenant of grace and receive Christ’s peace should not be overwhelmed by grief or fear. This serves as a powerful reminder—He has already said, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” and here He reaffirms this promise with the assurance of His divine peace. An unshakable inner peace that anchors our souls.
In moments of chaos, whether it’s social unrest, political turmoil, or personal struggles, we all crave true peace—something that brings wholeness, stability, and a deep sense of calm. It’s natural to seek relief from the storms around us. Many turn to different paths in this search for tranquility: some might find themselves reaching for substances to numb the pain, while others settle for compromised relationships to feel connected. We often distract ourselves with entertainment, cling to possessions for a sense of security, pour ourselves into our work in hopes of finding purpose, and even, within the church community, look for solace. But here’s the truth: these pursuits can only offer temporary relief. They don’t touch the deeper unrest that lingers within us. True peace comes from addressing that unrest head-on, seeking a foundation that lasts beyond the chaos.
True peace resides only in Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace. Through His death and resurrection, He has secured for us the promise of peace — a peace that encompasses our entire being, granting us completeness and soundness and giving us sweet peaceful sleep. This is the peace that surpasses all understanding, a divine gift that can sustain us in our darkest hours. Turn to Him, and you will find the peace you seek. Trust in Jesus; turn from all sin that separates you from God.
Take the first step of salvation towards Jesus, the source of all comfort and hope. His arms are open wide, ready to revive you.
Receive the gift of salvation through belief in God’s Son, Jesus.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
—John 3:16
Discover here the fascinating depth of the Hebrew word ‘shalom,’ peace, in a way that will inspire and elevate your understanding of scripture
SHALOM-
This beautiful Hebrew word means so much more than just the absence of strife. It encompasses wholeness and restoration. It signifies a divine harmony that reconciles not only our relationships with one another but also our relationship with God the Father.
The Hebrew language is rich and profound. The root of SHALOM—shin-lamed-mem—connects to words like shalem (complete), leshalem (to make restitution), and mushlam (perfect). To experience shalom is to be whole. It transcends mere feelings and speaks to our spiritual condition and alignment with God’s purpose.
When I share with you my studies of the meaning of shalom, I offer you a glimpse of divine truth—a revelation of the peace that God desires for each of us.
Hebrew words stem from a root system. This system acts like a river system: a single root (the main source) branches out into a network of interconnected words (the tributaries), with all the variations sharing a common, underlying theme of meaning.
Imagine a single root drawing life from one source. A single river spilling forth many rivers to nourish and sustain. Water symbolizes life, and Jesus calls us to be those streams of living water. In John 7:38, He says, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” We are called to be conduits of His Good News, not containers; we share His love and Shalom (peace) with a world in desperate need of living water.
SHALOM (peace) in more Scriptures
In Judges 6:24, Gideon names his altar “YHWH SHALOM”—“The Lord is peace.” He is not merely a bringer of peace; He is Peace Himself. When we greet one another with “Shalom,” we are expressing a desire for wholeness, for others to embody their true selves as God intended. What a powerful blessing that is!
Isaiah prophesied this truth with clarity: “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
a “divine exchange”. Christ took the penalty for us so that we could receive the reward of peace and forgiveness.
And even more beautiful is how Peace Became a Person. In the life and ministry of Jesus, SHALOM took on flesh. He did not just teach about peace; He embodied it. He didn’t merely pronounce forgiveness; He became the very reconciliation we all need. He stepped into the brokenness between God and humanity—not as a warrior, but as a humble servant who bore our wounds so that we might be made whole.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace (Shalom)will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:6-7
Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6
Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Jesus is the “Prince of Peace”
He is the one who restores creation to its original harmony. He pays the debt (leshalem) that no one else could. In Him, we see the fullness of SHALOM manifest— as a living reality.
The true order of Peace!
Isaiah also speaks of a time when “the wolf will dwell with the lamb… and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:6–9). Revelation echoes this vision—a renewed heaven and earth, tears wiped away, death no more, and no more curse. The end is not destruction; it is restoration. Eden will be healed. Creation reconciled. The lion and the lamb lying down together, establishing a new order of peace.
This represents SHALOM in its purest form—a universal harmony where all wounds are healed, all wrongs are corrected, and every being aligns perfectly with the Creator’s heart.
To truly know SHALOM (peace) is to know God. He is not just peaceful; He is peace itself. He doesn’t merely desire our wholeness—He is our wholeness.
How many lives, burdened by defeat and despair, would give anything to grasp the power of the Holy Spirit if they could? How many weary souls would long for the peace of Jesus? These gifts cannot be bought; they are freely given to His people. “All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.”
These divine gifts do not shield us from the storms of life, but they assure us of the strength and peace needed to navigate any storm.
True peace is a deep-seated condition of the soul.
Isaiah 26:3
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
