Peace
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” -John 20:19
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” -John 20:24-28
Peace is what every person longs for, especially in the midst of tragedy, doubt or uncertainty. And most psychologists would tell you that mankind’s greatest desire is to have peace. I believe that the most important areas in regard to having peace in our lives exist in these three categories: (1) Peace with God. (2) Peace with one’s self. (3) And peace with others. I also believe that no one will ever truly experience real peace, that is, until they truly have peace with God! Jesu made this possible! He came to restore our relationship with God and to reveal His heart and character to us, His beloved creation. So, if Jesus came to reveal the character and heart of God to us, it’s interesting then that in the passage above found in John chapter twenty when Jesus appears to His disciples, the first thing that He does is speak peace. It would appear than that God’s heart and desire is for us to have peace. Peace in the midst of doubt, fear and uncertainty, because in the midst of the disciples doubt, fear and uncertainty- Jesus offers peace and reveals the heart of God for us! This is the first time that He has seen them since the crucifixion and resurrection. And, the first thing that He says is, “Peace be with you.” I believe that in this moment He is revealing the character and heart of God to His followers and to us. And that is, that in the midst of doubt, fear and uncertainty- He wants us to have peace. Jesus came to bring us peace! Peace with God, peace with ourselves and peace with others. And remember, this scene in John chapter twenty is right after the crucifixion, while His disciples are still trying to wrap their minds around the resurrection- locked in a room fearful of what may happen next! That’s right, Jesus appears to them and offers peace! He says, “Peace be with you!” Of all of the things that He could have done, or might have done, or could have said, in that moment- He offers them peace!
We must remember that God is peace and we must believe that He desires for us to have peace. In John 14, before He was betrayed, beaten and crucified, Jesus tells these same disciples, “If you believe in God- believe also in me, for in my Father’s house are many mansions and I go away to prepare a place so that you may be with me.” God’s desire is for us to be with Him. I believe that He also desires for us to have peace in the midst of the doubt, fear and uncertainty that we will experience in this life down here. Jesus was getting ready to go through a time where He would no longer be with His disciples and they didn’t understand. So, again, in the midst of doubt, fear and uncertainty- He leaves them with peace. Peace of mind. Peace of heart. And, peace of assurance in knowing that what He was saying was true, although they didn’t fully understand at the time. Then He not only tells them that He is leaving them peace- He defines it for them by saying that He doesn’t give the kind of peace that the world gives and then He concludes by telling them to not be troubled and to not be afraid. When we are troubled or afraid, or when we doubt God, He still shows up! He shows up and He offers us His peace! He meets us right where we are and His presence brings His peace! God is peace. Jesus is peace. And, Holy Spirit is peace. I like to say it this way: “Peace is a person!” And, when the presence of that Person shows up, there is peace! Jesus showed up to His disciples who were troubled, doubtful and afraid and He said to them, “Peace be with you!” He could have said anything, but He comforted them by offering them peace. Peace in the midst of uncertainty, doubt and fear. And, His presence brought them peace. I don’t know what you may be experiencing today, I don’t know what you may be going through and I don’t what you may have to face tomorrow. Nonetheless, I leave with the words of Jesus- “Peace be with you and receive the Help and comfort of the Holy Spirit.”
“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!” -John 14:27 TPT
