Peace Be With You

John 20:19-31.

Despite what Peter and John had seen firsthand at the tomb, they both went back home with more questions than answers in their minds.

Despite the conviction in Mary’s voice as she tells them, “I Have Seen the Lord!”

We now find the Disciples hiding behind locked doors, in fear of the Jewish leaders.

Much like we struggle, at times, with our faith and conviction, the Disciples were now beaten down by the fear of the unknown and their own lack of understanding

We can find comfort and support in our difficult times by understanding that Jesus provides True peace, even in the worst of times.

We must realize that peace is not just the absence of fear- But the reality of the very presence of Christ in our lives.

When we allow Him too, Jesus will meet us in our troubles, calm our hearts and call us to a life filled with purpose and meaning. No matter our circumstances.

Todays teaching will highlight our Risen Saviour as the one who overcomes all fear and doubt.

Connecting us to the bigger picture of Scripture as it relates to Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy of bringing peace through His death and resurrection.

Securing our Eternal hope in Him.

So let’s begin with how the Disciples respond to this new-found revelation- Jesus really is alive!

1- PROOF OF LIFE

John 20:19–23 ESV

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. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

In the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion, his disciples found themselves huddled behind locked doors, their hearts heavy with fear and uncertainty.

It was in this moment of vulnerability that Jesus appeared among them, offering a simple yet profound greeting: "Peace be with you."

These words, far from being a mere pleasantry, carried the weight of divine reassurance. Jesus, in His infinite compassion, didn't chastise His followers for their doubts or fears.

Instead, He met them exactly where they were, extending grace and understanding.

Notice Jesus did not chastise the Disciples for their fear and lack of belief.

As with every other time, Jesus is calm and patient with them.

“Peace be with you”

Then He does something extraordinary- He shows them scars of the nails in His hands and his side.

Proving once and for all, that He had overcome death and the grave.

This “Peace” that Jesus has brought them now is not locked behind closed doors, but extends beyond and outside situations that the Disciples may ever face.

Just as today, we can live free of locks of fear and doubt, that bind us and hold us back.

No longer do we have to hide behind locked doors, closed off from the goodness of God.

Recognizing the Risen Christ in our lives, we can live in the peace that reaches beyond our own understanding.

Not that life gets any easier:

During the early church, believers faced persecution for their faith. Despite these circumstances, they often greeted each other with 'Peace be with you,' a powerful affirmation of their trust in God.

This context deepens the understanding of Jesus' peace; it was not a superficial wish but a profound act of defiance against fear and anxiety.

Their solidarity in faith shines a light on how the peace of Christ empowers us to stand firm, love fiercely, and connect deeply with one another—a call to embody His peace in our relationships today.

With that in view,

What does the phrase 'Peace be with you' signify in the context of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance?

in the midst of such a wonderful revelation, something, or rather, someone was still missing- We examine Thomas next.

2- A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

John 20:24–25 ESV

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.”

Although referred to as the Twin, Thomas has forever been known as “Doubting Thomas”

Unfairly, I think, if we are really honest with ourselves- Who wouldn’t have doubts after what they had all just witnessed?

There is no explanation given in Scripture as to why Thomas was not at the first gathering, and it is pointless to try and guess, yet there are valuable lessons to learn from this.

Quite often, in our own lives, when things are not going our way, we tend to hunker down and isolate ourselves.

However Scripture tells us to do just the opposite,

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

It has been proven over time that the church acts like the church best when it is under pressure.

When we allow those around us to know that we are having a rough time, the Body of Christ can respond in ways of support and encouragement, as only the believers of Christ can.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

In the midst of the chaos of World War II, a small group of Christian believers gathered in an underground church for worship. Despite the air raids and uncertainty surrounding them, they began their service with the words, 'Peace be with you.'

This greeting transformed the atmosphere, reminding everyone that the peace of Christ transcends earthly troubles.

In that dark moment, the light of Christ shone brightly, uniting them in hope and strength, illustrating the promise of Jesus that His peace is a gift to us no matter the circumstances.

So despite Thomas missing the opportunity, it did not mean it was a lost opportunity- For our Lord is faithful...

3- QUESTIONS OF DOUBT ANSWERED

John 20:26–29 ESV

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!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

A week passes and the Disciples are still cloistered behind closed and locked doors. This time Thomas is with them.

What was a missed opportunity a week ago, becomes the big reveal and an even greater declaration from Thomas.

Jesus shows up again with His, now familiar greeting. “Peace be with you”

And without hesitation, Jesus immediately goes to Thomas and exposes His own wounds to Thomas. Baring Himself to Thomas with nothing to hide.

Jesus, directly removes all reason for any doubt or skepticism from Thomas’s mind, by displaying the one thing that could not be argued against.

The Scars left from His death on the cross.

The invitation to touch the nail-scarred hands and examine His pierced side, leaves Thomas with nothing left to not believe.

And his response is immediate- “ My Lord and my God!”

Once again Jesus uses grace and mercy to bring Thomas to his point of belief.

And then He goes one step further.

Jesus is glad that Thomas has seen and believed- How much more Blessed are those have not seen and yet believe.

Jesus could very easily be pointing to us today.

We are two thousand years removed from these events and yet, the very presentation of the Gospel message still brings broken hearts and shattered lives to Christ, without ever seeing any of the 1st century church in action.

Today, hearing the spoken Word of God is what brings those to salvation.

Often believing- Faith- comes before total understanding or evidence of the fact.

This should deepen our resolve and live in peace, knowing His promises will never fail, nor will they ever fade away.

In what ways does the act of Jesus showing His wounds serve as proof of His resurrection and victory over death?

4- THE BEGINNING OF THE END

John 20:30–31 ESV

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John begins to bring his Gospel to a close.

This is almost a Preamble to the Epilogue- The Beginning of the End.

There is still one more chapter to explore, which we will do over the next two weeks, however it is key to understand this point.

And of all the Gospels, John really brings this point home-

The signs, miracles, and teachings that Jesus did were to numerous to account for all of them.

John simply could not document everything- And neither could the other Gospel writers.

The point of John’s Gospel and the other three Gospels was to encapsulate enough of the Ministry of Jesus so that two thousand years later, anyone in the modern world today could read about it and believe for themselves.

Proof of this is that after all these years and multiple attempts of mankind to shut the message down...

The Gospel message rings as true today as it did when Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!”

What is the significance of John 20:30-31 in understanding the purpose of the Gospel and its call to belief?