John 14:23-29
23Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
25”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27Peace 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.
28You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than
A few summers ago I volunteered for the church’s vacation bible school program. That’s where I met Benji. Benji was seven years old and he was one of those kids that NEVER ran out of energy. Benji, with the imagination that only a 7 year old has, thought he was a superhero. In fact, he had a Superman beach towel that he tied around his neck. And whenever he ran, it trailed out behind him and made it look like he was flying. It didn’t matter where he was going, he ran there. He ran everywhere. And around the church Benji had gotten a reputation for being ‘that’ kid. You know, the one that none of the teachers want to have in their class because he is so disruptive.
Some of the adults in the church had tried to get Benji to take off the superman cape, but he wouldn’t have it. That cape was as much a part of Benji as his hair and skin.
Two days later I came upon Benji curled up into a ball in the corner of the room. His signature cape was missing and tears were streaming down his face. He was inconsolable. Fortunately, just then his mom came into the room, scooped him up, and began, ever so gently to stroke his hair. Almost immediately Benji’s tears dried up and for the first time that week, he was still. Him mother’s touch had brought him peace.
Benji had lost his cape, his security, his identity as a superhero. It was only the comforting touch of his mother that was able to restore his peace.
Although we no longer dress up as superheros with capes trailing behind us, we still pin our understanding and identities on things that may not last forever. You are a teacher, but what about when you retire? You are happily married, but what happens when your marriage falls apart? You are a parent, but what about when your youngest moves out? You are a viable congregation, but what happens when week after week is filled with supply pastors? What do we do when that which defines us is taken away?
Our text for today finds Jesus getting the disciples ready. He’s on his way to the cross. He’s preparing them for a time when their identities would change – a time when that which defines them will be taken away. They were disciples, but what would they be without their teacher? What would become of them once their teacher has left?
Our text today is just a small part of a larger speech that Jesus gives to the disciples that Bible scholars call “The Farewell Discourse.” It is full of words of consolation and instruction. Words designed to guide the disciples in Jesus’ absence. He knows that he will not be with them much longer. Times of trouble are coming, so Jesus offers the disciples some words of comfort. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Do not let them be afraid. My peace I give to you”
This is a very different peace than the peace that the world offers. The world hands us a superhero cape and invites us to pretend that we are something that we are not. The world invites us to pretend that we don’t need God and that we can make our own peace. Build up your bank account says the world. Find a nice secure job with a retirement plan. Find that special someone and settle down. But what Jesus knew about the disciples and what he knows about us is that we cannot make our own peace. That is why he promised that will not have to find our own peace. Jesus will give it to us.
Benji’s mother scooped him up, held him close, and let him know that she loved him. Jesus promises that we will never be left alone, asked to fend for ourselves. The Spirit lives in each one of us and brings with it a peace that the world cannot give. It gives us a new identity, one that can never be stripped away – people of God. As people who are loved and cherished by the Creator and held close, even in the darkest times.
When the world takes away your cape and challenges who you think you are - do not be afraid, do not let your hearts be troubled. There is a peace that far surpasses the peace that the world can give. It comes as a gift from God who has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
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