Easter People Seek Peace

If you have been a Methodist for a long enough time, you probably know how to respond when I say, “Peace of Christ be with you.” The typical response is “So also with you.” We have joke about how automatic that response has become for us when we hear the line from Star Wars, “May the Force be with you.” But, of course, there is a reason we say this, why we exchange these words of love and care. These words were the first words spoken by Christ upon seeing His disciples after the Resurrection.

Pray and Read John 20:19-31

John 20:19–31 NRSV

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.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 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 retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, 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 the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt 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 come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Peace

The disciples were fearful of the Jewish leaders. They were fearful of the Roman Government. They were fearful for the future. This prevented them from moving on and doing what Jesus taught them to do.

How do we offer peace? It is more than words. It is in our actions. For someone with anxiety, peace is something that you bring yourself in towards. Such, “stop, breathe, close your eyes, count your breaths, in and out 10 times, then slowly open your eyes.” When we sit with someone even for a few minutes for conversation and smiles, we are offering peace. For someone who is going through a battle of any sorts, often times, our kind and calm presence can help that person begin to feel better.

The disciples were going through a battle, so Jesus’ appearance was great to see, but unbelievable even if just for a moment. But for the risen Savior to tell them to be at peace, was all they needed to hear. But there were so many other emotions going on with each one of them.

Forgive

The disciples were not only fearful but were angry and upset that Jesus was killed in such a manner. This was an unjust act!

We may not trust our government. Some believe the presidential election was stolen. Some believe our governor of this state is careless and only caters to those of his political party. Both of these may be right, both may be wrong. However, both of these statements have caused anger and fear. Do any of us trust our government anymore?

Jesus told his disciples that if they forgive those who have caused harm and did this unjust act, then they are forgiven. However, if they don’t forgive them, then they will still harbor this fear and angry in their hearts.

This is not about someone eternal forgiveness or whether God should forgive someone. Jesus had already forgiven the Jewish leaders and the Roman government from the cross when He said, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” This is about personal forgiveness. Do you forgive the person or group that has done wrong or do you let them live rent free in your head?

How often do we focus on the wrong that was done to us, and replay that moment over and over in our head? How often are we consumed with what is going wrong in our government or among our co-workers that we cannot enjoy life day to day? This is not peaceful living. We must live into forgiveness of our ourselves, and live daily forgiving wrongs done by others if we want to live peacefully. Doing this, shows that you believe that God is in control and that God rights all wrongs in His time.

Believe

Jesus is making this death a good thing. The purpose of His death was show that He conquers death. Jesus is Peace! Jesus is Justice! Jesus is Grace that offers forgiveness. Jesus makes all wrongs right!

The end of this chapter tells us the reason John wrote this gospel and also the fact that the stories we read about Jesus doesn’t cover all that He did on earth. So many healings, exorcisms, and lessons taught by Jesus. I am sure that we have the most important ones shared with us. But the purpose is not just to tell us what Jesus did during his first visit, but to give us something to believe in. Each story shows that Jesus Christ is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. These stories are examples for us to show us that Jesus can heal us, and give us life everlasting.

Do you believe these stories? Do you believe that Jesus came to offer you forgiveness and you show Jesus to others when you forgive? Our peace is found in our forgiveness, and faith in Christ.

In the Name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Amen