What Jesus Did! 'From Peace to Passion' — John 20:21

Thursday, December 17, 2026

Again [Jesus] said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you."
— John 20:21 NLT

Key Thought

So often in our world, peace is a selfish retreat from the world. For Jesus, peace was something he received from his times of rest with his Father so he could go back and minister to the world. Jesus calls us to find our peace in him - a peace rooted in his defeat of death, his presence in us through his Holy Spirit, and his assurance of our future with him. That peace, however, should fuel our passion for doing the work of Jesus and for being sent by him into the world to bless it with his grace.

Today's Prayer

Father, please fuel my passion for touching the lost and broken around me with the grace of Jesus. Give me the peace of your dear Son so that I, too, will go to bless a fractured world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

24 Related Resources by Heartlight

I Am Sending You!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Again [Jesus] said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." Then he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.""
Receive the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you..."
Strange Neighbors
Article by Phil Ware
Why would God place us in close proximity to these people? Phil Ware talks about weird neighbors and who God has sent us to hear so we can lead them to Christ.
More than Words
Article by Phil Ware
God spoke His greatest message with just one Word! Phil Ware talks about why he and about 100 others go to Peru each year when it costs so much.
See All 24 Related Resources about John 20:21

Illustration

Illustration of John 20:21 NLT — Again [Jesus] said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 17, 2026

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Call Us all to Be Fishers of Men'
"Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and followed him."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Power and Importance of Delegation'
"[The Twelve said,] "And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 17:24
"O death! why dost thou touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches weariness hath rest? Why dost thou snatch away the excellent of the earth, in....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Ephesians 6:10-11
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!