Final Admonitions and Warnings 

After the Last Supper, a Psalm was sung, and the apostles got up to return to camp. Jesus indicated they should stay seated, for he had much more to say. He gave them his farewell discourse, saying he would only be with them a little longer. He gave them the new commandment, to love as he loves. He compared himself to a vine that nourishes us, the branches. He warned of the enmity of the world they will face when he is gone. He promised to send a helper, the Spirit of TruthEvent. Jesus explained the necessity and advantages of his leaving.

Jesus recounted many of their experiences together and further discussed his farewell discourse. It began to sink in that Jesus was saying farewell. The human mind does not like bad news; it always hopes for the best. When Jesus told them he was going to leave them and return for a short season, they heard he would return after a short season.

Jesus did return for a short time between his resurrection and ascension. Spiritually, Jesus did return to establish the kingdom. He poured himself, his very Spirit, over the earth, and the apostles did experience the spiritual power of this kingdom.

The apostles could not foresee the future, so Jesus tried to comfort them before the impending horror just hours away.

When the eleven had taken their seats, Jesus stood and addressed them: "As long as I am with you in the flesh, I can be but one individual in your midst or in the entire world. But when I have been delivered from this investment of mortal nature, I will be able to return as a spirit indweller of each of you and of all other believers in this gospel of the kingdom. In this way, the Son of Man will become a spiritual incarnation in the souls of all true believers.

"When I have returned to live in you and work through you, I can better lead you on through this life and guide you through the many abodes in the future life in the heaven of heavens. Life in the Father’s eternal creation is not an endless rest of idleness and selfish ease but rather a ceaseless progression in grace, truth, and glory. Each of the many, many stations in my Father’s house is a stopping place, a life designed to prepare you for the next one ahead. And so will the children of light go on from glory to glory until they attain the divine estate wherein they are spiritually perfected even as the Father is perfect in all things.

"If you would follow after me when I leave you, put forth your earnest efforts to live in accordance with the spirit of my teachings and with the ideal of my life—the doing of my Father’s will. This do instead of trying to imitate my natural life in the flesh as I have, perforce, been required to live it on this world.

"The Father sent me into this world, but only a few of you have chosen fully to receive me. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, but all men will not choose to receive this new teacher as the guide and counselor of the soul. But as many as do receive him shall be enlightened, cleansed, and comforted. And this Spirit of Truth will become in them a well of living water springing up into eternal life.

"And now, as I am about to leave you, I would speak words of comfort. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I make these gifts not as the world gives—by measure—I give each of you all you will receive. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. I have overcome the world, and in me you shall all triumph through faith. I have warned you that the Son of Man will be killed, but I assure you I will come back before I go to the Father, even though it be for only a little while. And after I have ascended to the Father, I will surely send the new teacher to be with you and to abide in your very hearts. And when you see all this come to pass, be not dismayed, but rather believe, inasmuch as you knew it all beforehand. I have loved you with a great affection, and I would not leave you, but it is the Father’s will. My hour has come.

"Doubt not any of these truths even after you are scattered abroad by persecution and are downcast by many sorrows. When you feel that you are alone in the world, I will know of your isolation even as, when you are scattered every man to his own place, leaving the Son of Man in the hands of his enemies, you will know of mine. But I am never alone; always is the Father with me. Even at such a time I will pray for you. And all of these things have I told you that you might have peace and have it more abundantly. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have triumphed in the world and shown you the way to eternal joy and everlasting service."

The peace of Jesus cannot be adequately explained; it can only be experienced. It transcends ordinary understanding and radiates an inner calm and majesty, even to the bitter end. His peace is not of this material world and requires more than words to convey its depth and power.

Without Jesus, there are two material paths that attempt to lead toward peace: a stoic acceptance of life’s inevitable hardships or an optimistic belief in a brighter future for humanity. While both stoicism and optimism can help navigate the ups and downs of life, they are not lasting. These approaches are useful, but they lack the enduring quality of the peace Jesus offers.

The peace of Jesus is the deep joy and satisfaction that comes from fulfilling life’s primary purpose: learning to do the will of God while still in the flesh. This peace is rooted in the absolute trust Jesus had in the Father’s wise and loving care, empowering him to pursue his mission with confidence and without fear. Jesus was resolute, devoted, and fearless in the face of what was to come, knowing his future and fate were secure in the hands of an all-loving, all-wise, and all-powerful Father. This peace, surpassing human understanding, belongs to all who choose to align their will with God's, as Jesus did.