First Sunday in Lent – Monday

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you. – John 14:27.

In that night Judas, not Iscariot, said to Jesus: “Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us and not unto the world?” (John 14:22).

This is a question that many Christians often ask themselves, namely, “Why has the Lord made me His own and not all the world?”  Jesus reveals Himself and the fullness of His grace through His Word, and not otherwise.  Now His disciples, who love Him by His “grace” alone (II Corinthians 8:9), hold fast to that Word, as to their greatest treasure.  So, the Father loves them and comes to them in His mercy through the Savior and His perfect substitutionary work, and most graciously and lovingly makes His abode with them, and they realize evermore what a treasure their Savior is to them.

But a man of the world, who does not love the Savior, neither holds fast to His Word, despises the Savior and His Word.  And Jesus’ Word is not the word of mortal man, but the Word of the Father, who sent Him.  How, then, should Jesus manifest Himself to a man of the world?  This His Word the Lord had revealed to His disciples while He was still present with them.  Now came the hour of parting. “But,” said He, “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (v. 26).

Thus in us Christians also, who adhere to the written Word of Jesus, the Holy Spirit works the true, inner, heartfelt understanding of this Word, and thereby reveals to us evermore the fullness of Jesus’ saving grace. And then we have peace, precious, eternal peace that does not perish like the things of this world.  Jesus says: “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” (v. 27).

O Christian, disciple of Jesus, keep holding to Jesus’ Word!  Meditate on it daily.  Then the divine majesty will continue to dwell with you in love and grace; the Holy Spirit, who is ever present in the Word of Jesus, will reveal, again and again, the great salvation wrought by your Savior, even more clearly to you. You, having been justified with all sinners before the foundation of the world by God’s grace through the perfect obedience and sacrifice by Christ, now receive, again and again, the assurance of this universal justification by faith in Him.  Then, you shall have never-ending peace, eternal peace, peace amid the strife of this time, peace in the blessed rest of heaven.

PRAYER – Lord Jesus, grant, through Thy almighty power, that I, a poor sinner, may unceasingly keep on holding to Thy saving Word.  God, my dear Father, continue to love me for Jesus’ sake!  Lord Jesus, through Thy Word, continue to come to me with Thy Father and the Holy Spirit, and make Thy abode with me!  God, the Holy Ghost, glorify and bless richly Jesus’ gracious and sure Word within my heart, that I may have daily peace henceforth forevermore!  Amen.

Holy Ghost, with light divine, shine upon this heart of mine;

chase the shades of night away, turn the darkness into day.

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Let me see my Savior’s face, let me all His beauties trace;

show those glorious truths to me, which are only known to Thee.

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Holy Ghost, with joy divine, cheer this saddened heart of mine;

yield a sacred, settled peace, let it grow and still increase.

                                                                 (Hymn 234, st. 1-2 and, 4; TLH)