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!”
Fear overwhelmed the disciples after Jesus died. They locked all the doors where they were together because of fear.
At times like this we need to experience his presence, peace, power and purpose in our lives, so that we will not be overwhelmed by fear. Why?
1. His Presence Come with Us in Times of Fear----"Jesus came and stood among them" v. 19.
a. Jesus is omnipresent in every situation. He promised that He will be with us unto the very ends of the Earth. Yes, even a situation that we are very afraid, Jesus promise His presence with us, Matt. 28:20
b. Jesus is not subject nor controlled by time, matter, and space. He is the Lord over matter and space. John 4
c. The Lord who entered in our cosmos is the same Lord who can enter in our homes and houses in times fear.
d. The Lord says, "Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10
e Revelation 3:20 says, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
2. Jesus Gives His Peace in Time of Fear, v 19. "Peace be with you"
a. The word "peace" "eirene" in Greek is both a greeting from Jesus and it conveys
joining or binding together after a period of separation.
b. The emotional effect when the person that you love is reunited with you implies an "inner rest, well-being and harmony."
c. Imagine the disciples who undergone a very tough times, from abandoning and betraying Jesus at Gethsemane to being traumatised by Jesus crucifixion, it was a physical, emotional, and spiritual unrest of their souls that resulted an overwhelming fear in their hearts.
d. But even before Jesus was crucified, he anticipated that his disciples will be in trouble, so he promised that He will give his peace with them. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful” (Jn 14:27).
e. Are you not glad that even in the midst of lock down due to COVID 19, we can experience his overwhelming peace in our hearts? Peace is very possible in Jesus!
3. He Can Breathe His Life and Power on Us
a. The word "breathe" here is closely linked to the inbreathing of life in Genesis 2:7. and Ezekiel 37:1-14. Both passages speaks of infusion of life from lifeless or dead bodies.
b. The inbreathing of "His Spirit" is the infusion of spiritual life in us. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there can be no spiritual life in us.
c. This power is the same power that can resurrect everything that is lifeless in your life: your finances, your broken relationship, your sick bodies, your stagnant business.
d. You pray that this resurrecting power will be infused in all areas of your life.
4. He Renews His Purpose in Us, v. "If you forgive anyone sins, their sins will be forgiven"
a. God's children have the power to forgive the sins of others. By the power of His Spirit, we can turn every dark moments in our life's into light by forgiving those who have done evil in us
b. Christians are placed here on Earth to become a positive force that can turn hatred into love.
c. This word of our Lord Jesus is a mark of becoming His disciples when we learn to forgive those that offended us.
d. This is the ethics of the Kingdom of God. We should be the people who spread the value of forgiveness to heal our sinful and sick society.
e. Jesus said, "if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven," It appears that Jesus has thrusted his power in us to forgive. This is possible by virtue of the presence of the indwelling presence of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
Regardless of our situation today, we have a resurrected savior whose presence is so powerful to provide peace in the midst of fear. He has given us the power of his Holy Spirit to forgive and overcome evil for good.
Happy resurrection Sunday to everyone.
