Peace Resurrected - Jesus Spoke

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!’ John 20:19 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/jhn.20.19.NIVUK

Have there been times in your life when people have spoken unexpected words that have turned out to be life-changing? I remember one such incident. I was living in a bad neighbourhood and had been for almost seventeen years. I had got into University - the only person in my neighbourhood at the time who had made it. It was around seven thirty in the morning and I was waiting at the bus stop for the bus to University. Now our family had endured a terrible time in that neighbourhood. We'd had our front door graffitied, our windows smashed and pelted with eggs or fruit, we'd had stones thrown at us, we'd been insulted, chased... basically our life had been made a misery. But thugs and hooligans generally sleep in, so I was safe. Or so I thought. While I was waiting for the bus, the younger brother of one of the biggest thugs approached the bus stop. I scanned around. There was no-one else. No witnesses. He could do whatever he liked to me and not get caught. I was really scared. My heart was in my mouth. I don't think I've ever prayed so hard for a bus to come. He walked over to me. "Paul!" he called me. I was suddenly paying attention. I'd never heard him use my first name before. He continued. "There are a few things I need to say to you." I was terrified now. "I'm sorry we gave you such a hard time." he told me. "We always gave you problems because you wanted to stick in at school and we didn't. I left school with nothing and couldn't get a job, so I've had to go to college. I wasted my time in school and it's set me back years. So what I want to say is, I'm sorry and you were right." I don't mind telling you I was almost in tears for that bus journey. What Barry said that day has remained with me for the rest of my life. The day a bully apologised, all on his own, is something I will never forget. But this... what Jesus said here... is even more remarkable. I mean, what would you say in His situation. How about: "See? I told you so!" Or, "See ya in heaven, losers!" Or, "Anyone got a jacket? I caught a death of cold in that cave." He could have taken His sweet revenge. He could have called them out for their cowardice and lack of faith. He could even have gloated. But He didn't. What did He say? Twice? "Peace be with you." Why? Imagine what was happening. These people had let Jesus down. They had abandoned Him in His hour of need. They had seen Him murdered. They knew He was dead. They had grieved Him. They had feared for their safety, thinking they could be next. And now He stood before them. Their minds must have been racing. Their hearts must have been pounding. I doubt if they were feeling particularly peaceful. Yet I believe Jesus said it because it was what they needed. Yes, they had sinned against Him. But Jesus bore on His body the scars which paid the price for their sin. Yes, they had good reason to fear for their safety. Only one disciple lived into his old age - coincidentally, the recorder of these words. The rest were killed by the Romans. But do you know what? Jesus had beaten the greatest enemy they would ever face. He had come back from the dead. He had shown them they had no reason to be afraid. And maybe, just maybe, "Peace be with you" is the message we need to hear. We too are behind closed doors for fear of an external enemy. We too are facing huge uncertainty. But in the middle of a situation such as this we need cool heads and calm hearts. Terror, panic and worry will not help us. Not one bit. The only thing that will see us through is peace. Maybe you think that I'm reading too much into this, that it's a common greeting across the Middle East and that therefore we should dismiss its importance. Consider this: John records Jesus saying it three times after He was resurrected - twice to these disciples; once to Thomas. Not to Mary Magdalene. Not to Peter. Matthew doesn't record Jesus saying it at all after the Resurrection. Neither does Mark. But Luke does - just once. And it is this occasion: They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ Luke 24:33‭-‬36 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.24.33-36.NIVUK He also records their panicked reaction at seeing Him:

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. Luke 24:37‭-‬43 NIVUK https://bible.com/bible/113/luk.24.37-43.NIVUK Understand this: it may be a common greeting, but it is recorded in Luke and John because it is significant. Jesus brought these disciples peace because it was what they needed the most. It was what they needed to hear. They needed calm minds to assess the situation, realise He was truly alive, and obey Him. We need His peace now. There is categorically no doubt about that. And we receive it when we fully realise Who we worship: the Risen Christ who bears eternally the scars that paid for our forgiveness; the One who died and has beaten death for us; the Lamb, looking like it had been slain, at the centre of the Throne of Heaven. So we don't need to be afraid.