Peace be with you

Peace be with you. (John 20:19)

That was a pretty common greeting in those days and still is among Jews.

But was that all it was? Considering Jesus said it twice, I’m kind of thinking not.

The disciples were in hiding, afraid of the future. And even Jesus appeared to them, how much angst did they have because they had failed him.

But Jesus said, “Peace be with you. I’m here. And despite your failings, I accept you.”

He then sent them out to bring his peace to people without it.

But it’s hard to bring peace into people’s lives if we don’t have God’s Spirit of peace living in us. And so he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus wants to send you out too.

But do you have peace yourself? Or are you constantly worried about the future? Are you constantly worrying about what God thinks of you?

Remember: Jesus looks at you, and says, “Peace be with you.”

Jesus has already given you his Spirit. Not a spirit of fear, but one that cries out with us, “Abba, Father.”

We have peace with God now. (Romans 5:1, 5; 8:15)

So rest in his peace. And let’s take that peace out to those living without it.