“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.” John 20:19 (ESV)
Imagine, if you will, that first day of that week. The leader and teacher you've followed has died and his body laid in a tomb. Some of your group claim to have encountered Him alive but you don't know what to believe. Your heart is so heavy and filled with fear. Almost all of you are huddled together in an upstairs room with the doors shut and locked. Suddenly, standing there in front of you is your Teacher, your Lord Jesus. His very first words to you as a group are “Peace be with you.” Although Jesus had met Mary in the garden, this was the first time that He met them together on the day He had risen from the dead. This is why we call this day Resurrection Sunday. Jesus knew that what His followers needed most that evening was peace in their hearts. They had been looking for Him at the tomb where he had been buried. They had heard from the few of His followers who said they met him that day but now they saw Him right there in their midst. And His desire was to give them peace. This is the message which our Lord gives each of us when we recognize His presence with us. Yes, He is near us and will be with us right here today. When we recognize His presence that effect will be true peace in our hearts. It will be as if our verse today is true in our experience too.
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