Father's house
with its many mansions, the fact of His personal return, the gift of
the other Comforter, who came to abide with and in His own, the
promises concerning prayer and assurance that the Father Himself
loves them and many other precious truths were spoken by Him ere He
left the world to go to the Father. At that time He gave His blessed
legacy. "_Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you_" (John
xiv:27). And the last word He spoke to His disciples before He
uttered that marvelous high priestly prayer, contains also the
assurance of peace. "These things have I spoken unto you, that _in
Me_ ye might have _peace_. In the world ye shall have tribulation;
but be of good cheer I have overcome the world" (John xvi:33).

The adorable Lord came to this poor sin cursed earth, a world of
sinners and enemies of God by wicked works to make peace. The great
work of reconciliation was effected on the cross. By His death on
the cross the enemies of God, believing in Him, became reconciled to
God. He made peace through the blood of His cross (Col. i:20). As
believing sinners we are justified and _have_ peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ. Not our walk or service, not our faith or
repentance or anything we have done or are doing is the ground of
peace with God, but what Christ has done for us. Yea He Himself is
our peace. And because _He_ is our peace, it is a peace which can
never be undone or unsettled.

Oh, the peace forever flowing
From God's thoughts of His own Son!
Oh, the peace of simply knowing
On the cross that all was done!

Peace with God, the blood in heaven
Speaks of pardon now to me:
Peace with God! the Lord is risen!
Righteousness now counts me free.

When all was finished, the mighty victory over sin, Satan, death and
the grave had been gained, when every foe had been met and fully
conquered, the blessed victor appeared in the midst of His beloved
disciples. It was on "the same day" the day when He arose, when the
mighty power of God opened the grave, on the same day, He suddenly
stood in their midst. The doors were shut. The disciples were full
of fears and doubts. Thomas was not there at all. All at once their
eyes beheld Him once more who had been crucified, had died and was
buried. "Peace be unto you!" This heavenly greeting came from His
lips and soothed their sorrows, cleared their doubts and dispelled
their fears. And He who stood thus in their