INNER PEACE
The search for inner peace is central to the popular animation movie series, ‘Kung Fu Panda’, where an unlikely gluttonous hero, Po, tries hard to master its essence, as he fights formidable foes in ancient China.
At a more realistic level, finding inner peace is as elusive as anything else, even though its significance is not lost on the average person, who grapples with foes life throw at him. We experience joys and sorrows, the latter somehow overshadowing and overwhelming the former, leaving one with a desperate need for peace to steady the ship of life. Peace is there for the taking, we are told, but only if we burden ourselves with routines that are hard, if not impossible. We try meditation, deep breathing, living in the present, being one with nature, music, surrounding ourselves with non-toxic people, and so on. The results are temporary at best, and our counselors then tell us we need to diminish our ambitions and that it is a life-long journey. The former is not compatible with the life we wish to live and latter works out certainly well for the counselor.
It is in this context that we find the amazing claim of Jesus,
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
It sure is amazing because he did not give us a list of things to do, or ask us to give up our ambitions and lifestyle, and join a group or a sect. He does not speak in the language of the probable, but that of the definite. He compares the superior outcome of the peace he gives with what we have tried and come away disappointed with. Most amazing though, is that it is not something we are asked to work toward, rather a gift to be received. Let us analyze his claim further and see if it is worthy of our adoption.
It is not hard to deduce that perfect peace is only possible if one finds the means to unite with the ultimate reality, God, in whom real peace should reside. For man to strive to meet with God is as impossible as it is for darkness to meet with light, or for a pet animal or bird to initiate and direct a relationship with a human. God has to take that initiative to make a relationship possible. The historic Jesus was God in human form, the exact representation of the divine and his resurrection on Easter means he still lives to offer perfect peace to one who seeks. Hence, we also find the definitive language of peace being given, as opposed to it being offered as a possibility.
We might further ask, “what is the mechanism by which this peace is made possible?” In the preceding verses of the same chapter, we find how this peace is made possible through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God in spirit, who resides within those that have received Jesus as their Savior. Receiving Jesus is not a tiresome accomplishment but a gift to be received by repentance and faith. Once that happens, the eternal perfect God can unite with the human soul that is otherwise tainted and imperfect, and this union is effected through the Holy Spirit, who brings God’s peace into a human soul.
Finally, we also see this peace at work for those who have believed and received. The twelve disciples were familiar with Jesus, and certainly intrigued by him enough to follow him, but had not been regenerated by the Spirit. So, at the crucifixion of Jesus, when faced with the prospect of death or imprisonment, they all deserted him. However, once they saw the resurrection, and after receiving the Spirit through faith, peace was a reality for them, even in the face of death. Church history tells us that eleven of the twelve disciples and the majority of his closest followers went on to be martyred for Christ- the reality of an indestructible inner peace!
The words of Jesus beckon us home,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Much like Po in Kung Fu Panda, people search extensively and for years to take hold of that elusive inner peace. For those that encounter Jesus, and take hold of his claims, they arrive.
