Peace Be With You
Scripture Passage: John 20:19-23 (NASB)
19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
SUMMARY
The disciples were hiding in fear of the Jews. Jesus finally appears to them in the flesh and shows them His scars. The disciples rejoice over witnessing Jesus come back from the dead. Jesus then sends them out as He breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Since Jesus was crucified, the disciples feared that they would be the next ones to be persecuted. I'm sure the disciples were disappointed, scared, and ashamed to face the outside world. They locked themselves in and sat in their fears, waiting for things to calm down. When Jesus finally appears to them, the first thing He says and then repeats is, "Peace be with you” (v. 19).
Back in John 14:27, Jesus mentioned "peace" when He was still with His disciples — "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." He says these things to put the disciples at ease, knowing what they were going to go through. Jesus tells the disciples to go out and do the work of Christ just as He was sent to do the work of the Father. But He sends them out with a Helper, the Holy Spirit. It's so reassuring that Jesus knows how we feel and understands us in our circumstances. He gave the disciples (and us) the gift of peace.
APPLICATION
There are many things that cause me to hide in fear: when something in life goes wrong, when I'm insecure in myself and of the future, when I'm disappointed, and when I'm in times of need. I feel like I can't face the problems of this world alone. But God sees me. He is a Father who encourages me. He is Provider, Conquerer, and Savior. What can man do that God can't overcome? He made a way so that I can have the Holy Spirit to help me wherever I go. I have access to genuine peace that is only possible through the Holy Spirit. What a powerful gift.
PRAYER
Lord, You are so good. You see us in our tribulations and You give us help in times of need. You make things happen even when we don't see them happening. You gave us this amazing gift of peace in a world that is so chaotic and brutal. You help us rise above it. I ask the Holy Spirit to be even more present during this time. Continue to give me peace and have me be a good witness no matter what circumstance I am in. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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