Receive The Peace Of God

(John 20:19-29)

We don't know exactly what went on in that upper room in the days after Christ died, but the Gospels give us a pretty good idea. We know there was fear—that's why his followers were hiding out, shut up behind a thick wooden door in a small room in the attic of a house.

We find ten disciples cowering in a room, afraid to come out. The doors were shut and locked; the drapes were drawn, the widows were closed and the disciples were full of fear and despair. They have just seen their Lord and Master crucified on a cross and buried. Then on the third day His body disappeared from the tomb. Although the angels at the tomb tried to reassure them, they were still afraid. They still DID NOT understand that Jesus had risen from the grave.

"Overwhelmed" is a good way to describe how the disciples must have felt after Jesus died, huddled together in their fear and confusion, not knowing where to turn or what to do next. Their leader and teacher who had held them together all those long months was dead and buried, executed like a common criminal, and his body now missing from the tomb. What a disappointing turn of events! When Jesus was laid in that tomb, there went all their hope, their vision, their sense of direction and purpose in life. They were left only with an overwhelming sense of failure, loss, and shame, because they knew they had deserted Jesus in his hour of need. Were they more disappointed and disillusioned with themselves or with Jesus, who had raised their hopes so high?

Jesus had been executed; they could easily be next. They feared those who caused the death of Jesus would come after them. (Not an unrealistic concern). But most of all, they were paralyzed with fright - they did not know what to do or what was going to happen to them. There was also confusion. What had actually happened? Had his body been taken, or was he really alive? It also seems there was some disagreement among them: the women were convinced they'd seen him, but the disciples had a hard time believing the report (after all, why had Mary Magdalene – a woman – been the first one to see the risen Christ?) They were at loose ends.

And then there was the matter of what to do next. Should they pack up and go home—back to their fishing nets and tax-collecting booth?

Or should they carry on with their mission? But what exactly was their mission, now that Jesus was gone? And who was in charge? So it was a troubled crew of Christ-followers gathered in that room that day.

They were full of doubt, and misgivings (had they been duped by a charlatan?), and fear. Could a dead body REALLY rise again?

Then Jesus appeared, walking right through the closed door! He came looking for the disciples when they were in need. He forgave them for their denial and calmed their fears. He blessed them, saying:

“Peace be with you” (John 20:19)

This was not just a something common day greeting, this was a promise from Jesus to us. He was assuring the frightened disciples that everything was going to be okay, just like the same assurance we receive when close our service every Sunday with:

“The Peace of the Lord be always with you”

If we will, we can receive the peace of Jesus, just as those frightened disciples did so many eons ago.

The problem was, of course, that Jesus couldn't stay. He was returning to His Father. He would not stay with them to calm their fears, settle their disputes, and help them carry out His mission. So He gave them a gift—His Holy Spirit—to be with them, and in them, always. In John's gospel we heard that Jesus actually breathed on them and said,

"Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:22)

Let’s think about our body for a moment. Our body is in the shape of a cross, and our heart is in the center. Our heart is where Jesus should reside, where He placed the Holy Spirit when he breathed on the disciples then and breathes on us today. Our bodies are a reminder of His suffering and crucifixion, and our heart (the Holy Spirit) is a reminder of His Resurrection and promise that He would never leave us. He is dwelling in us, standing with us each and every day.

Our Ecclesia crosses remind us of Jesus: notice how the cross is bent, almost as if in agony. And how we can hold it in our hands, with our fingers easily wrapped around it. We can hold it that way when we need comfort and a reminder that Jesus is always with us.