Peace

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Scripture
John 20:19   When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 

Observation

As the disciples gathered in fear, Jesus came and spoke peace over them. He was born as the Prince of Peace and his desire was to bring peace to this world. The new kingdom ushered in by the Messiah would bring a new kind of peace, one that was not the result of worldly circumstances, but of participation with our holy God. While some may see this as an ordinary greeting, it became unordinary when the resurrected Jesus spoke. These words were the fulfillment of the vision from the Father. Now, the peace of the Father would rest upon them and they would become ambassadors of that supernatural peace to the world. 

Application

Far too often in life there are circumstances that become extremely difficult. We begin to wonder how we can make it through trying times. We cry out and wonder just where God might be in the midst of life! It is exactly in those circumstances that God wants us to discover Jesus’ peace. 

Jesus stepped into the space when the disciples were at the height of their anxiety. The doors were locked as they gathered, fearing the religious leaders. They had no idea what they were to do in the midst of this crisis, but before they could take any action, they needed to know the peace of Christ. It is in the midst of our struggles that our anxiety can become heightened. We can become paralyzed by our circumstances and wonder whether we can ever go on. We begin to dwell on the challenges and refuse to see the opportunities. We join the disciples in the locked room, hoping against hope that no one figures out where we are. 

Jesus had a different life in mind for his followers then and today. When the resurrected Savior steps into our space he speaks Peace he breathes life into us. Suddenly the anxiety is gone as we place all of our dependence upon the risen Lord. He takes upon himself all of our cares and fears. God has already made provision for the days ahead. The job of the disciple is to accept Jesus’ peace and then deliver that peace to a needy world. 

Jesus was sent by his Father to bring peace to the world. The Prince of Peace fulfilled his mission and now he was commissioning his disciples. We, too, are commissioned. We are to receive the peace of Christ and be sent into the world 

May peace be with us as we go in the presence of our risen Lord! 

Prayer

Lord, your peace provides comfort beyond my imagination. My heart rejoices and is grateful. Amen.


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