“Peace!”

Scripture: John 20:19-31

That first Resurrection Sunday had been quite a day. The women who had gone to the tomb to complete the burial ritual were overcome with the discovery that Jesus’ body was missing. And not only that, but the Roman guards were gone, and the huge stone that sealed the entrance had also been moved. When they told the disciples about it, the men went to see for themselves, but they couldn’t find any evidence of what had happened either!
Then Mary meets a man nearby, who she thinks might have seen something, but as it turns out, it’s the Risen Christ Himself! And they now clung to the reminder that they are to meet Jesus in Galilee in the very near future. The rest of the day was, for the most part, a waste. Word of the resurrection began to spread through the ranks of the faithful. Everyone began to seek out Peter and John for an explanation, and discussions would center on the numerous opinions as to what had happened. But the day would continue to be a mystery to them all.

The only thing that they knew for certain was that the body of their Lord was missing, just as the Roman guards were. They would begin to hear reports of searches being mounted for those deserters, but they were yet to be found. The fear began to grow again – fear that they would be blamed for all that had happened – fear that there would be a general round up of all believers – a renewed fear that they would soon suffer the same sentence that the Lord had. By the time evening rolled around, they were all exhausted – tired of talking, tired of crying, tired of trying to stay out of sight, tired of not knowing.
Was Mary’s story right? Were the rumors about the solders right? Were the temple guards really out in force, searching for them? Could Jesus really be alive? What was the truth?

And just about the time they were all ready to fall into a turbulent and restless sleep, it happened.

Read John 20:19-20

No one had dared to go back out on the streets of Jerusalem that evening, and as they began to settle down together, fear would be replaced with an overwhelming joy – Jesus would appear right there, in the room, with them. And he offers them his peace. And they would remember the words of assurance he gave during the Seder – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

And the peace that passes all understanding came over them, replacing the fear, the apprehension, the doubt, the uncertainties of that day. The Spirit of God was already beginning to work his wonderful way in their hearts. And the Lord shows them the marks in his hands and side to dispel any uncertainty that might still be lingering in their souls. This is the proof that the Jesus they had known for years, the one they had mourned for these past few days, truly was living – it wasn’t that the human Jesus had been replaced with the Godly version – he had been reunited with the Godly.

And they began to remember other words he had spoken at Seder – that “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little whlle you will see me. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:19-24) He had promised them that this joy would be theirs forever, no matter what happened, and that they could ask for anything in his name, and the Father would honor their request.

Jesus was alive! And everything he had told them was coming true! And the Church must remember that these promises weren’t limited to only the faithful of that day – they are given and confirmed for all who believe in Jesus Christ.

Read John 20:21-23

The Lord’s repeating the offering of Peace isn’t just a reiteration of the original greeting – it is part of the commissioning that he places upon them in that moment. He confirms that he had been sent by the Father, and in that confirmation, there is the implicit thought that there had a specific purpose in that “sending”. And his “peace” becomes a part of his call on our lives – that we, too, are being sent by the Father, also with a specific purpose.

Jesus always seemed to understand his purpose – even in his younger years. Remember that day when he stayed behind in Jerusalem and scared his parents half to death? When they asked him why, he replied that they should have known that he would be in his “Father’s house”. (Luke 2:41-52) But as focused as he was on the mission that had been given to him, he also understood that as obedient as he had to be to Divine authority, he also must submit to his parents – to earthly – authority. And that submission would lead him to Calvary.

So where are each of us being sent? And everyone is called to some task in the Lord’s name - there are none who are too young, and none who are too old, none who aren’t gifted enough, none who aren’t faithful enough, none who aren’t smart enough – and if you aren’t certain, then begin praying that the Lord might instruct you, and you might even discover that you are already there!

And wherever you do go, carry the Lord’s forgiveness with you. But understand that this isn’t just a moralistic forgiveness – John saw the darkness of sin as the blindness that comes through disbelief. It isn’t the sin that the book of Leviticus speaks about – it’s the sin, the death, that comes from the failure to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.
And the forgiveness that we can bestow is the salvation message that comes from Jesus. We are to present it to the people of the world, and if they accept it, they are forgiven, but if they reject it, they are not forgiven. Wherever we are sent, wherever we may go, whatever our task, whatever our mission, it must always include this very message of forgiveness through salvation by faith.

But wherever that may be, know that the Lord’s joy and peace and Spirit and breath will cover you all the way.

Read John 20:24-27

We don’t know how long Thomas had been missing, but it could very well have been since the day of crucifixion, and we have no indication at all as to where he had been or why he had left the others. We only know that he missed out on all that had happened, and only showed up again after Jesus appeared to the few on Easter evening. And his disbelief is no different than the doubt which the others had when Mary came with the same message. The difference is that Thomas identifies the proof that he will need to believe. And it comes.

Would Jesus ever withhold anything that we ask for? He said that he wouldn’t, so Thomas, by his own words, has set the stage for the next appearance. Jesus, once again, offers “peace” to the entire gathering, including Thomas, but then he directly addresses the one who has yet to believe. And while he showed his hands and side the first time he appeared in the locked room, this time he actually invites Thomas to touch the wounds. If that is what it will take for him to believe, then Jesus will honor it. But the Lord cautions the man that if he does, that will cause him to believe, and that there will no longer be any “unbelief” within him.

Belief in Jesus includes commitment and acceptance. There can be no half-hearted, partial, limited belief – that Jesus may be a good prophet, that he was a good teacher, that most of what he taught is OK, but other parts can be ignored. It must be all, or nothing.
And Thomas would quickly come to understand that, and all that it would entail.

Read John 20:28-31

The offer to touch the hands and side of Jesus would be enough – Thomas never actually takes the Lord up on his proposal. And in essence, he makes that great statement of faith without a touch - “I do believe!” And Jesus’ response to the disciple’s renewed faith is similar to the words he spoke to Nathaniel after Phillip brought him to meet the Lord – “You believe because you have seen!” (John 1:43-51) Was this a put down, a slight toward them, a way of demeaning their testimony? Not at all. It was simply an acknowledgement that faith comes in different ways – for some, it is by sight or by hearing or by experience, and for others who will come to him later, it will be purely by faith. It doesn’t matter how we come to the Lord – the importance is that we come.

During Jesus’ time in resurrected presence, John writes that there were many other occurrences and miracles attributed to him, but that these few things that he describes should be sufficient. You may know a skeptic who claims that these few events aren’t enough for them to believe. The truth is that the telling of the resurrection story, and the reports of his working in people’s lives, including your own personal testimony, is enough. And if someone still hesitates to believe, find out why, and let the Spirit work within their life to change their unbelief into full belief, all though the confession and naming of their personal obstacle.

“Peace be with you!”
“May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you!”
“Let your fear and hesitation go by the wayside!”
“Jesus is Risen!”
“Believe, and doubt no more!”

What more should anyone need? Know that Christ’s peace and call on your life is within you today, and Rejoice!