The answer is: Peace

John 14:27

In John 14:27, when Jesus tells his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you," he isn’t just throwing around cheerful words. Peace, in biblical terms, is profoundly deep—a holistic sense of well-being and harmony, not just an absence of conflict. Isn't it interesting to think about what was happening around Jesus at that moment? He was on his way to the crucifixion, yet he extends a gift of peace, showing it as a calming balms amidst turmoil.

This sort of peace echoes throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shalom" captures this same notion of peace—wholeness in body, mind, and community. So often, peace is something that emerges from a right relationship with the divine and with one another.

Fun fact: Across various cultures, a peaceful heart has often been sought after. Buddha talked about inner peace, Stoic philosophers emphasized calm amid chaos, and here we see a parallel in the teachings of Jesus. You might notice in his beatitudes, peace is attributed to the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)—so it’s not just a gift but a call to action.

By leaving his peace, Jesus empowers his disciples to cultivate their own peace and share that heartfelt joy with others. He hints that it is through mutual support and love that this deep state of tranquility can thrive within communities. Wouldn't it be refreshing to carry some of that ancient peace into our bustling lives today?