Published by admin on 23 Nov 2017 at 11:50 pm
PEACE BE UNTO YOU
It’s for sure we live in a very unstable, unsettled world right now, and there is much trouble worldwide, with disasters, wars, and famines in divers places. Can we just “wish it away”, or ignore it as if it doesn’t exist? How can we keep our peace when it wants to flee like a frightened bird? Glad you asked!
Things were looking pretty bad for the first disciples of Christ Jesus after they crucified Him. They had pinned all their hopes upon Jesus that it was He that would restore the Kingdom of Israel, but yet, the Jews had the Romans crucify Him, and their hope was now gone. Now, keep in mind that Jesus had publicly said, If you destroy this temple, in three days I will rear it up again. He was speaking of His own resurrection from the dead, but the disciples didn’t yet understand that. Let’s pick it up after the burial of Jesus. It is written in John chapter 20,
9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Try to understand this: we have been taught to trust God, because the Bible says He can be trusted and cannot lie. And yet, we are not so much different that the first disciples, in that when trouble comes to us because of the Word, we tend to panic and fold. Here, Jesus had been crucified, and now the Jews were already ready to kill off His disciples, and they were locked in a room for fear of the Jews. And here comes Jesus THROUGH THE WALL and says to them PEACE BE UNTO YOU! Peace you say? They were probably scared out of their wits! The Bible doesn’t say Jesus knocked on the door, and they opened unto Him, it says literally, “Came Jesus and stood in the midst…” One moment they were locked in that room and the next, POOF! Jesus is in the room with them. Why did He say “PEACE BE UNTO YOU”? because they didn’t HAVE ANY PEACE! You will notice He said it TWICE, even, because they just weren’t getting it!
Would YOU have peace after you had just experienced the brutal crucifixion of the one you believed was the Son of God? C’mon now, be honest…well, they didn’t either, and Jesus knew it. Why did He appear to them in such a unorthodox and bold manner? Because they had to be shocked into believing He was indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. And I think YOU DO, TOO.
Jesus warned in the last days there would be trials and troubles, and we are seeing it. So we worry, we get depressed, and run around like a chicken with its head cut off, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?? We can read the Bible and see how Jesus overcame death and hell and was resurrected to life, and then criticize the early believers for their fear, yet WE DO THE SAME THING! When are we going to “get it” that the same peace Christ Jesus offered to His disciples, is the same peace He is offering us TODAY?
How about it? Could YOU use some of that peace of Christ Jesus right now? The Lord Jesus wants to bring HIS PEACE into that mess you’re in right now, just like He did for the disciples who were locked in a room for fear. It’s available to every one who will receive it, no matter who you are, where you are, or what your circumstances are. NO MATTER! You can have it for the asking! So what are you waiting for? And after receiving His peace, THEN WHAT? Well, verse 21 has the answer: Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Did you get that? He is giving you HIS peace, and is sending YOU to spread it around to all those you meet who need it. He did His job, now you go do yours! Peace be unto you!
Olinda West on 24 Nov 2017 at 4:37 pm #
Right on target, Jerry, Right on target!
Dan on 26 Nov 2017 at 4:01 pm #
Hey Jerry, thanks for the blog sermons throughout the years. Anyway, be sure to contact me through my email. Hoping all is well.
Dan