Peace Be With You

Peace Be With You - 4/14/09

Jesus is alive and that changes everything! Apologies if you are getting tired of hearing say and write this, but it is true. It is a truth that transforms. Consider the disciples in the Gospel of John. If you follow the text of the 20th Chapter they know the tomb is empty. They have heard the witness of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” But when it was evening on that first Easter day the house in which the disciples had met was locked – get this -

For fear...

For fear of the Jewish leaders as the TEV translation puts it. Empty tomb or not these disciples were in no hurry to get nailed to a cross.

Was it even more? Were they in fear in spite of the report that Jesus was alive, or maybe even a bit because of it?

Sound far fetched? Remember they were no where to be found in Jesus' time of need. If Jesus has the power to walk out of the grave what will be his reaction to those who failed him?

Timidity had carried them this far and they saw no reason to change now.
And then there he was! Before they can even begin forming the words of their excuses and their apologies Jesus says, “Peace be with you.”

Peace! God's shalom to all who have failed him, God's shalom to us, from the Prince of Peace himself.

“Peace be with you.” As we share those words in church consider that this exercise is not the church's equivalent of the 7th inning stretch. We are sharing the very same peace that Jesus gave to his frightened disciples. Giving and receiving God's shalom because Jesus is alive and that changes everything!

Once was not enough. Jesus again said, “Peace be with you.” this time he added, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Fearful disciples became bold proclaimers to the ends of the world – because Jesus is alive and that changes everything. That same Jesus sends you! And because he is alive, with his peace, with his presence, with his wisdom, we can change the world.

Go in peace! Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!

Shalom,
Jeff Silvernail