I give you My Peace.

Two painters were competing in an exhibition to see who could paint the picture that best represented the idea of "peace".
The first of them painted a picture depicting a serene lake situated atop a mountain where not even the wind moved, so that there were no waves, nor a single bird, butterfly, or dragonfly… everything was, according to the artist, in perfect silence: for him, this was the idea of “peace.”.

The second painter presented a work whose contrast with that of his competitor was striking: his painting depicted a very powerful waterfall, hurling enormous quantities of water into a lake.
Beside her, almost within reach of the foam and the raging water, on an oak branch, a sparrow was resting peacefully in its nest, without any concern for the fury of the waterfall right beside it.

The judges unanimously agreed that the second painting better represented the idea of "peace".
And, knowingly or not, the winning painter expressed the idea of a peace that the world does not know: the peace of Christ.

On the eve of his crucifixion, Our Lord, having already declared to his disciples and future apostles what was about to happen to him, and that he would soon be physically absent from their presence, declared:

I leave you peace; my peace I give you.
I do not give it to you as the world gives it.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let yourselves be afraid.

(John 14:27 – KJA)

The idea of having "peace," spoken to people he already knew would be persecuted and cruelly martyred in the future, may seem completely absurd, but it makes perfect sense when one considers that the peace announced here is not the peace the world knows, but the peace of Christ himself, which is not given as the world gives it.

The world only knows a peace that depends on circumstances: when things are going well and there are no wars, problems, or anxieties (situations that one doesn't need to think too much about to realize are very rare), the world and individuals in general feel that "peace" exists.

However, such peace is extremely fragile, fleeting, and at the first sign of adversity, it crumbles, allowing the cruel reality of a world far from God to invade life once more: the feeling of insecurity, of uncertainty, the burden of facing problems and unpleasant sensations takes over the human spirit, and the feeling of "peace" is soon forgotten.
And if this is already the reality almost all the time for people who are not persecuted or discriminated against because of their faith, how can we expect Christians, whom the world hates, to have "peace," as Jesus says?
That's precisely the point:

The peace of Christ is not like the peace of the world.

Unlike the peace the world offers, Christ's peace does not depend on external circumstances; it is something internal, based not on present events, but on the greatest of all events: the work of the Savior himself.

The Christian, being certain that his existence is not limited to his earthly life, has in his heart a great "trump card" to face whatever happens to him with another perspective, that everything that may arise on his path to the Father is temporary.
No matter how dire the circumstances, the Christian knows that, in the end, everything will be left behind, to finally take possession of the kingdom that has been prepared for the saved since the foundation of the world.

Then the King will say to all on his right:
‘'Come, you who are blessed by my Father!'
'Receive as your inheritance the Kingdom, which was prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'’

(Matthew 25:34 – KJA)

Whoever truly knows this peace, even though not free from sadness and pain, for the world is still under the yoke of sin, has the certainty that nothing, however terrible it may be, will make them lose all that truly matters: eternity with Jesus Christ in the New Jerusalem.

One can compare the peace of Christ to the feeling of a student on the last day of school: he doesn't mind having to get up early, go to school, have the last assignments to complete, even if they are the most difficult... he knows that this will be the last time and that soon he will enjoy his vacation.

Jesus was aware that both his disciples and those who would come to believe would face enormous difficulties and anguish on this Earth, but he made a point of emphasizing that the fury of the world, of sin, and of the devil against those who love him was something that had already been overcome, and that in him, all would have peace.

I have warned you about these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble; but have faith and courage!
I conquered the world.

(John 16:33 – KJA)

Therefore, may the peace of Christ guard our hearts and minds, so that one day we may enjoy the fullness of that same peace in eternity, where there is no more death, nor mourning, nor crying, nor pain.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!

(Revelation 21:4 – KJV)

The turbulence that looms large over the "lake of the world" and imposes suffering on Christians is not illusory!
It's just another one. indication That the end times are rapidly approaching, and before the Lord returns like a thief in the night, the prophesied reign of the Antichrist must be consolidated not only in Brazil, but throughout the world!
In the 2023 phase of "The Worst Gospel," I decided to use new formats in the hope of helping to increase the reach of content related to the Scriptures—stories, videos, shorter texts, guest authors…—and this publication, which I took the liberty of revising and illustrating, is part of that project.
Thank you for reading this far.
I still need all the help I can get: comments, shares, and reactions help spread this content, which was entirely produced with the intention of contributing to the edification of the Body of Christ in the world.