Billy Graham’s book, Peace for Each Day, is described in this way online: “In a world in which everyone seems to be rushing to finish their to-do list, answer their emails, and respond to their cell phones, peace is still possible.” Do you really believe people can still experience peace? Jesus said that those who believe in Him can have peace. The Explore the Bible Study: Peace I Leave focuses on Jesus words on how one can find peace.

We come again to Jesus’ conversations with His disciples during the Last Supper. The disciples were not experiencing peace because they were wrestling with the reality of Jesus' words about His imminent departure from this world.

As we examine John 14:16-29, keep in mind two things. First, John was led by the Holy Spirit to capture this exchange years after it took place. This means that John was writing from a perspective of one who now realized what Jesus was saying. This brings us to the second point. Jesus tells them in verse 29, “I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.”  This entire exchange was confusing to them; it disturbed them. It’s through these circumstances that Jesus chose to introduce the work of the Holy Spirit and the role He has in providing peace to those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit (The Counselor) is the Giver of Peace – John 14:16-21

Jesus sought to reassure His disciples by telling them more about what was going to take place. Jesus assured the group that He would send a Comforter or Counselor. The third member of the Trinity would reside within them and make it possible for them to experience peace with God and with each other. When Jesus departed the world, the disciples would not be alone.

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “another Counselor.” What’s important about describing the Holy Spirit in this manner at this moment in time? Why did Jesus say “another Counselor”? What was different about the Counselor’s ministry versus Jesus’ ministry as their Counselor?

The term Counselor describes “one called alongside.” Jesus had been with them and been their Counselor, but He was not going to be with them physically any longer. The Holy Spirit, however, would be with them and all believers forever!

Jesus also described the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth.” As the Spirit of truth, He testifies about Jesus (John 15:26) and leads believers to know the truth through the Scriptures (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16). However, unbelievers are unable to receive Him because they don’t see Him or know Him. Again, Jesus reminds them of the forever promise of the Holy Spirit – “He remains with you.”

Then Jesus says to them in verses 18-20 something that could be really confusing, yet it describes the relationship between Jesus, the Holy spirit, and the Father. He says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.”

How can Jesus leave but not leave them as orphans because He is coming to them? How does this demonstrate oneness in the relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Why can believers see Jesus even though they “no longer see” Him?

While Jesus was returning to heaven, the Spirit would stay. And, when that day came, Jesus would be in the Father, the believers would be in Him, and Jesus would be in them through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. Finally, Jesus explains why this takes place as He makes an amazing statement about those who love and follow Jesus: “the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” 

When you consider everything Jesus says in this passage about Himself, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father, how can this give believers peace?

Jesus continues the conversation by answering questions about how the disciples will learn about all that He has previously stated.

The Holy Spirit will Teach You so that You can Have Peace – John 14:22-26

Jesus' primary focus was on the disciples’ love and obedience. Anyone who loves Jesus will keep His commands. The idea in Greek involves maintaining and protecting. Love is not merely an emotion; it is an action. 

On the other hand, whoever doesn’t love Christ will not obey Him. When unbelievers disobey God’s Word, they are merely behaving naturally. Because they have no love for Christ, they lack the supernatural desire to follow Him that is only possible through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples would need help recalling what He had taught them. Jesus says the Father would send the Counselor on behalf of Jesus, explaining again the relationship of the Trinity. Now the disciples and all believers who receive Christ will receive the Holy Spirit as their Teacher. The Spirit would teach them and remind them of everything Jesus had shared with them and all who would believe. As mentioned earlier, the Spirit primarily does so through the Scriptures, enlightening readers to God’s truth through the Word.

How can knowing that the Holy Spirit is our teacher bring us peace?

Believers can understand God’s truths and act on them with confidence. They can be at peace as they act on God’s truth, especially when it goes against the cultural norms. When we obey His Word, we demonstrate our love for Him and for His Son. The Father loves it when we demonstrate our love for Jesus because, in doing so, we display our love for Him. This love relationship enables us to take full advantage of God’s gift to us, the indwelling Spirit.

Finally, Jesus says He must go so He can give them peace.

Jesus had to go away so all believers could experience peace – John 14:27-29

1. He leaves them with peace. This peace would be experienced by all who would believe because the Holy Spirit would not only help them experience peace, but His indwelling would also be the origination of peace that only one who receives Christ can experience.
2. Jesus gives them peace. This is a free gift to all who believe, and it is a peace that only Jesus can impart. It can’t be found through any other means. 

Because of this, Jesus didn’t want their hearts to be troubled, but He also knew they, as well as all who believe would have times when their hearts would be troubled. That’s when we must remember the words of Jesus. He had to leave so we could experience true and lasting peace, but He will come again which should also give us peace.

Peace Every Day

Billy Graham, in the book, Peace for Each Day, made this statement, "Millions are searching for [peace], but we Christians have found it! It is ours now and forever." Perfect peace finds its ultimate expression in the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—one God in three persons. 

Although the disciples were troubled and confused, Jesus offered them perfect peace and the giver and sustainer of peace in all believer’s hearts – The Holy Spirit. His peace was different from what the world could give them. His peace never depends on external circumstances. The disciples could actually rejoice that Jesus was going to the Father because then the Father would send the Spirit. With Him, they and all who believe can face whatever challenges the world throws in their direction while still experiencing peace.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association shared this video a few years ago. Consider what Billy Graham says about finding peace. 

In what ways, other than through Jesus, do people try to experience peace? 

Do most people today believe that peace only comes through a personal relationship with Christ? 

How can those who profess Christ demonstrate peace in their lives today?

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study, along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. 

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These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources.