PEACE BE WITH YOU!

 Peace Be With You!

John 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

One of the most wonderful blessings available to mankind as a result of the resurrection is the peace of God. Prior to the resurrection this peace was not available to anyone. It’s interesting to note the first greeting Jesus gave to his disciples when he met with them following his resurrection from the grave was, “Peace be with you.”

Jesus knew what the disciples were going to need, for the task He would commission them was not going to be easy. Many of His followers would be ordered to renounce their faith under the threat of death. Their refusal to do so could result in their death and the death of their families and friends. In this fallen and sinful world under the influence of Satan, it would prove to be very difficult to find a lasting peace. Jesus knew there would be only one place, one source, for the peace the world would so desperately need and that was to be found in Him.

The peace of Jesus continues to be needful in the day in which we live; a day characterized by evil and sin. People are unwilling to turn to the source of righteousness and peace, Jesus Christ. Idols are being fashioned daily in the hearts and minds of those who are unwilling to accept the gospel of peace offered to them. God’s of man’s own choosing are being worshiped by countless millions. The darkness in which they dwell is so complete within them they are unable to see their true condition; their separation from the source of eternal life. They go about life proclaiming peace, peace when in reality there is no peace. Their hearts condemn them for they are inwardly convicted of their sin but they refuse to turn to God for forgiveness and the peace that follows their confession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (1Jn 3:20)

This lack of peace so prevalent among us, has been and continues to be studied and written about by doctors, psychologists, researchers and pharmaceutical companies in an attempt to bring relief to the troubled soul, yet the answer remains as elusive today as it has ever been. Why? They are looking for the answer in all the wrong places? There is only one place that has the answer for the individual who is looking for peace, the Bible. The Bible reveals the source of peace found only in the person of Jesus Christ. The peace He offers does not come cheaply. It cost Him His life. He died a cruel and horrible death and yet had He not died, there would have been no resurrection; without a resurrection there would be no peace. Without the resurrection the disciples would not have had the wonderful experience of having Jesus coming to stand among them and hearing these wonderful words spoken by him, “Peace be with you.” Not only would the disciples have missed hearing these wonderful words, we too, as his modern-day disciples, would not be able to hear Him speak to our hearts the wonderful words that bring us comfort and ease our fears and anxiety, “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)

Troubling times will come but they are no match for the peace of His presence. Do you need to hear Him speak today? Sit quietly before Him.  Envision His presence and thank Him for coming. Ask Him to give you ears to hear and a heart to believe and to speak words of comfort and peace to your heart. Then allow Him to speak to your heart and fill you with His peace.  david

·         Romans 5:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

·         Romans 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

·         1 Corinthians 14:33 (NIV) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace… 

·         Ephesians 2:14 (NIV) For he himself is our peace…