Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you. If the two preceding verses sounded like a note of preparation for departure what would they take this to be but a farewell? But O how different from ordinary adieus! It is a parting word, but of richest import. It is the peace of a parting friend, sublimed in the sense of it, and made efficacious for all time by those Lips that "speak and it is done." As the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6) He brought it into flesh in His own Person; carried it up and down as His Own - "My peace," as He here calls it; died to make it ours, through the blood of His cross; left it as the heritage of His disciples here below; and from the right hand of the Majesty on high implants and maintains it by His Spirit in their hearts. Many a legacy is "left" that is never "given" to the legatee, many a gift destined that never reaches its proper object. But Christ is the Executor of His own, Testament; the peace He "leaves" He "gives." Thus all is secure.
Not as the world giveth, give I unto you What hollowness is there in many of the world's givings: but Jesus gives sincerely. How superficial even at their best, are the world's givings: but Jesus gives substantially. How temporary are all the world's givings: but what Jesus gives He gives forever! Well, then, might He add,
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid - for the entrance of such words into any honest and good heart necessarily casteth out fear.