On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19 NIV
Chapter twenty of John’s gospel account begins with the discovery of Jesus’ empty tomb. After the discovery, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. Mary quickly informs Jesus’ disciples of her encounter with the Lord. What follows begins a transition from fear of persecution and death to boldly proclaiming the truth of the risen Lord in spite of threats and martyrdom. The resurrected Christ appeared saying, “peace be with you.” This began a transformation for those who once mourned Jesus’ death. They became fearless evangelists of the Good News of God’s grace.
Upon Jesus’ arrest and during his crucifixion, his disciples ran in fear. Some even denied having known him as Peter famously did three times. The Lord knew that his disciples would flee in fear and mourn his death. But beyond that, Christ knew that his return would solidify the faith of his followers and prompt them to share the truth of salvation through belief in the sacrifice he made on the cross.
The Risen Lord Appears
In the evening of the first day of the week after the death of Jesus, the Lord appeared to his disciples as they gathered behind locked doors in fear of the religious leaders who called for the death of Christ. Simply stating, “Peace be with you,” Jesus demonstrated the wounds in his hands and his side reassuring his faithful. John teaches that the disciples were overjoyed to see our Master.
Appearing in a locked room indicated that Jesus was not limited by his physical body. He miraculously appears before those in hiding but significantly, he is in his physical form. John records the Lord’s words to his followers in verses twenty-one through twenty-two writing, “Jesus therefore said to them again, ‘Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit!’ WEB”
With You Forever
As God breathed life into Adam, Christ breathed the Holy Spirit onto his followers. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16 saying, “I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever. WEB”
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God. We read of this gift in Luke 14:16 in which Jesus says to earthly fathers, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? WEB”
With his appearance and his words, “Peace be with you,” Jesus turned the fear and grief of his followers into joy. His example of life after death encouraged his followers to boldly proclaim the truth of God’s love for mankind. In spite of tremendous opposition, threats, and even death, the risen Lord inspired such great faith that his story is still told, making true his words recorded in Matthew 28:20, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the promise of eternal life with you. Thank you for the encouragement of your holy word. Increase my faith as I study your scriptures. Make me bold in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Good News of Christ
