“Then the same day at evening,being the first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for
fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto
them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he showed
unto them his hands and his side.Then were the disciples glad,
when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be
unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John
20:19-21).
|
PEACE IS IN THE RESSURECTION
|
Since the fall of Adam, man
has been searching for peace. In his quest for peace he has tried the pursuit of pleasure
(wine, women, drugs and leisure), the accumulation of wealth, and the works of his
hands all to no avail. The peace that will satisfy man’s soul is not
just the absence of turmoil. But,rather it is a peace that can exist
in the midst of chaos, a peace that “passeth all understanding.” You
can not have the peace of God until you first have the peace with
God (Rom. 5:1). Jesus promises this peace when He said, “My
peace I give unto you” (John 14:17). The resurrection of the
risen Christ is the source of our peace. As we seek peace this
Easter, what lessons can we learn from the text above?
First, there can be peace even
when we are afraid. “….where the disciples were assembled for fear of
the Jews” (v19b). This should have been a day of rejoicing. Their Master
had risen from the grave. The promise of the resurrection had
been fulfilled—Jesus was alive! The 10 included Peter who denied Him
and the others who had forsaken Him. Jesus does not demand an
explanation for their conduct. He does not say, “Shame on you.’’ He
does not call them unfaithful servants.Instead he says, “Peace be
unto you.” This peace was for their conscience.
Second, there can be peace even
when we are apprehensive. He showed them His hands, which had
been nailed to the cross and His side, which had been pierced. There
was the wound in His side that had confirmed his death to the soldiers.
The doubting disciples were amazed when they saw it was Jesus. He
said, “Peace be unto you” (vv20-21).This peace was for their hearts.
Third, there can be peace
even when you feel alone (vv26-29).Thomas was not at prayer meeting when Jesus
came to the 10 other disciples. He had questioned the words of the other disciples and
would forever be known as “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas meets
with the other believing disciples and he was the only doubter. He
must have felt alone. Again, Jesus says, “Peace be unto you.” This
peace was for their faith.
This Easter, you can have peace.
In spite of your fears, apprehension and your feeling of being alone, you
can have peace. As soon as the disciples were convinced that it was
Jesus, their sorrow turned to joy and their confusion became peace.
He can turn our sorrow, no matter the source, into joy and give
us peace. Our peace is in the resurrection!
|
