Rev. Asa Mahan, D.D.

Chapter 1

THE LEGACY OF JESUS.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you."-John xiv. 27.

INEFFABLY sweet are these words of our Lord. They are His farewell benediction. What is the significance of these utterances? First, What is peace? It is not primarily the absence of outward hostility, or a state of social friendship. Nor is it a mere exemption from internal conflict and commotion.

It is spiritual and Divine repose resulting from the presence of the Holy Ghost. This appears from the preceding verse. "But 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."

Peace here is only another name for the comfort of the Holy Ghost and the refreshing remembrance of Jesus and His words which He will revive and expound. It is not temporary. It is left with us. It is not bought, but given. It is not given after the fashion of worldly bestowments. The world gives reluctantly-Christ freely. "Freely ye have received, freely give." "Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely." The world gives sparingly, and often with parsimony -Christ bountifully, and with overflowing abundance, "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over."

The world gives from interested and mercenary motives, expecting an equivalent-Christ from pure, disinterested love, expecting no compensative reward, and asking nothing in return but love and trust. Hence it is written, " For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Cor. viii. 9).

First. It is incomprehensible. It is so deep and Divine that Paul says, "It passeth all understanding."

Second. It possesses a keeping power. Accordingly, in the same connection, it is said, "The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." This peace is a safe full of gold, and burglar-proof.