A Living Promise of Peace

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” — John 14:1 (NIV)

I often turn to John 14:1-4, 27 in funeral services. These words have comforted grieving hearts for generations. But they aren’t just for moments of loss—they speak to us in every season of life. Jesus spoke them to his disciples on the night of his arrest, when fear and confusion were beginning to settle in. They had just received troubling news: their Teacher and friend was leaving. And into that moment, Jesus speaks peace.

We’ve all had nights like that. A diagnosis. A job loss. A broken relationship. A moment when the future feels uncertain and our hearts feel heavy. Jesus knows that feeling—and he meets it not with platitudes, but with a promise.

John 13–17 is the longest recorded account of a single evening in Scripture. It’s as if the Gospel slows down so we can linger with Jesus in the upper room. And it begins with this: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus doesn’t dismiss their fear—he speaks directly to it. He anchors their hope in his identity: “Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Jesus promises a place— “In my Father’s house are many rooms” (v.2). The Greek word here is monai, meaning dwelling places or abodes. Some translations say “mansions,” others “rooms.” But the heart of the promise isn’t about square footage—it’s about presence. 

He is preparing a place where we will dwell with him. Not someday far off but beginning now. His peace is not just for the afterlife—it’s for the journey. Even in moments of sorrow, we celebrate the life we have in Christ—a life that begins now and continues in the presence of God.

Verse 27 echoes this: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” This is a living promise. It breathes through our grief, our anxiety, our transitions. It walks with us through seasons of caregiving, uncertainty, burnout, and renewal. It is the peace of Christ—not as the world gives, but as only he can.

Whatever season you find yourself in—whether you’re leading others through change, holding space for grief, or simply trying to keep going—Jesus’ promise remains. His peace is not passive. It is active, abiding, and available. It is a living promise because he is a living Savior.

Lord Jesus, thank you for speaking peace into our troubled hearts. Thank you for preparing a place for us—not just in eternity, but in your presence today. Help us to trust your promise, to dwell in your peace, and to carry that peace into the lives of others. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim