Jesus' Legacy to His Children

Jesus’ Legacy to His Children
Jesus left a legacy to us when He died. You know what a legacy is; it’s something “handed down” or bequeathed to someone after a death, often stated in a will. Jesus is now seated at “the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Heb. 1:3 He told the disciples at the Last Supper that he was going “to prepare a place” for them and for us. And now He is preparing us for that place. He sent the Holy Spirit to help make us more like Christ in our character and attitude towards God. The Holy Spirit was the most important legacy that He gave us. “The Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, 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.” John 14:26 He is called the “paracletos” “the one called alongside to help.” He is the “earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession unto the praise of his glory.” Eph. 1:14 “Earnest” is the down payment, the proof that the rest of the inheritance will be ours some day.

But Jesus also left us another legacy in the very next verse: He gave us the Solution to the problem of fear and worry. Here’s what He said, “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.” John 14:27 [Notice the verb leave–that’s the legacy.]

The peace Jesus gives us is His peace, the peace that enabled Him to endure the terrible agony of the cross and its temporary separation from the Father. The peace of Christ enables believers to remain calm even in the mostly wildly fearful turmoil. You remember when Jesus and the disciples were caught in the storm at sea and the disciples were terrified. What was Jesus doing? He was “asleep on a pillow” in the back of the boat! “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And Jesus was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-37

It was a wonderful miracle that Jesus calmed the storm, but wasn’t it also very wonderful that Jesus was able to sleep and have peace in the midst of the storm!

Jesus’ peace enables you to face great difficulties with a calmness in your heart that God gives. “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7 Tranquility of the soul–a settled peace that is not dependent upon outward circumstances, but inner strength from God. There is peace because we know that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Psalm 46:1-3

Jesus said, “I give to you” this peace. So we see God’s grace again. All that we have comes from Him. His legacy is not riches or worldly honor but peace–peace of heart, peace of conscience, peace because we have been pardoned and our sins forgiven, a living Savior, a home in heaven. “He who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32

“Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” The world can’t give this peace because it doesn’t have it! it’s not in their possession. “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:21 The world gives you but empty words, a mere powerless wish when it says Peace or Shalom but Christ’s gift of peace is real.

Jesus said “Let not.” Do not “allow” or permit your heart to be troubled. Do not allow it to be afraid. Fear and worry may come, but you can banish them with this promise from Jesus. And remember Psalm 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Instead of being troubled or afraid, they would rejoice. “If you love me, you would rejoice because I am going to the Father.” In effect Jesus was saying, “If you only believe what I have been saying to you, your cares and fears would vanish, and joy would take the place of sorrow.” “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. . . .”

Jesus has given us a promise for the future where no foreboding fear of the unknown and dark tomorrow threatens us. Our destiny in the future is secured eternally. We have “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1.4

“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.” Jesus gives you a choice: you can either stay troubled and afraid or you can refuse to be troubled and afraid. What will you let your mind dwell on? Your problems–or worries, most of which will never materialize anyway. Fear and worry do nothing constructive. They don’t accomplish anything.

Or will you focus your mind on Jesus and His promises and His command, “Fear not”–no matter how wild the storm or how serious the potential problem. Set your mind and affection on things above–and on Jesus Himself; “fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” --Pastor Burnside