Peace be with you

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.’ After he said this he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you.’  As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. John 20: 19 – 21

‘Peace be with you’ was the traditional Jewish greeting that Jesus gave to his startled disciples as he appeared in their midst unannounced and unexpected on the evening of the first day of the week after his crucifixion. They were behind locked doors fearful of the Jews wondering if they would be led off to be questioned or worst still crucified.

We know from Luke’s account of this day that the whole of Jerusalem was buzzing with the news of Jesus death and the disciples were bewildered by the women’s reports of his possible resurrection (Luke 24: 18). The women claimed to have seen Jesus but none of the Eleven had seen him.

Now Jesus appeared in their midst and they must have been very startled, so his greeting though traditional would also be necessary. Jesus then showed them his hands and side to prove to them that he was no ghost (Luke 24: 37) and that it really was him. Their fear turned to being overjoyed and Jesus again said, ‘Peace be with you.’ You can imagine the disciples might have been ready to rush out into the street to yell to anyone that Jesus really was risen from the dead and if you don’t believe us well come and see for yourselves. Just as they had needed his peace to calm their fears, they now needed Jesus’ peace to calm their overexcitement.

Jesus peace is ‘not as the world gives’ (John 14: 27) but is described as total well being and inner rest of spirit. The world’s peace will be a hopeful expression of  freedom from war or disturbance. Jesus’ peace is a reality and can calm all fears and give us that inner certainty that God is for us and will never leave or forsake us.

To live the life Jesus has called us to, we need his peace as an ongoing reality in the midst of all we do. Let Jesus breathe his peace on us right now and calm our fears and give us the strength and encouragement we need for the road ahead.