On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Did you ever have one of those days that seemed like a week? They seem to be piling up of late. Imagine the day Jesus had as described in chapter 20 of John’s gospel. Sometimes we feel dead when we wake up in the morning. Jesus WAS dead this morning. He would emerge from the tomb early in the morning and begin revealing his Resurrected self to his closest followers. First came Mary Magdalene, whose day began before sunrise with a meeting with two angels in white. This is a far sight better than some of our meetings! Then she heard her name being called, “Mary”. She saw, recognized and was transformed by the Risen Christ. That was an action packed day!
Then came the night when Jesus paid a visit to some old friends, his disciples who had walked with him and ran away from him at the first sign of danger. Their day did not start well. They woke up and probably got a knot in their stomach, knowing that the dream really was over. Jesus was dead and the chance to regain the kingdom of Jerusalem was lost. They remained holed up until Jesus appeared to them and said these words. “Peace be with you.”
As you start your day, remember these examples of the day Jesus rose from the dead. Remember the joy at the resurrection of our King. Revel in the hope that comes from knowing that we are eternal beings with him. Then, rest in the fact that each day, Jesus says…
Peace be with you.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church