The Crucified-Resurrected One brings Peace

What are the things that cause you to fear?  Maybe it’s an economic fear – fear of future uncertainty.  Maybe it’s a fear of being hurt in a relationship because of past experiences.  Maybe, it’s more of a primal fear like fear of large snakes or hairy spiders. No matter what your fear, we all have them at some level.

Fear is something that we see on every page of the passion and resurrection story.  Peter is afraid and denies Jesus.  Joseph of Arimathea, who gave Jesus’ tomb, was a secret disciple because he “feared the Jewish leaders”. And in John 20 we see all the disciples assembled together “for fear of the Jews”. John 20:19 says:

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, 

Can you see yourself as one of them? Your leader and teacher, Jesus, has just been crucified and now you are wondering if you are next.  You thought he was a conquering King, now it seems He’s a crucified criminal.  Then the Resurrected-Crucified One shows up, suddenly:

Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 

Jesus comes and immediately addresses their fear. He knew this wasn’t a healthy fear. This fear would have paralyzed the disciples from doing what they were called to do; who they were called to be. Peace is not just an opposite emotion of fear.  Peace is a reality we find in Jesus.

Jesus doesn’t offer them a warm and fuzzy emotion. He offers Himself! He knows they need more than a good feeling. The life he calls us to live is a life of sacrifice, a life of service, and sometimes of suffering. He shows up, and reminds the disciples he’s trustworthy.   

In John 16:33, right before his crucifixion, after he told them about the promise of the HS, how they should abide in the Vine, which is him – he also said to them:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

He prepared them, but they didn’t really get it. So here he is, after the resurrection – to reveal himself to them, and say, “Trust me.” Again, Jesus didn’t just say peace to cheer them up. He showed them why they could have peace – how we ALL can find Peace – in Him.  

He showed them His nail pierced hands and His spear pierced side.  Can you imagine seeing Jesus’ scars?  He suffered, but He is our peace.

Pilate washed his hands; the Romans soldiers mocked and beat him; Jewish leaders did their worst to discredit him; and Satan unleashed all his fury on him; but here He is, not unscathed because he DID suffer, but resurrected and victorious!  

So Again, Jesus leads with peace.  Perhaps because he knows what he’s about to say could also bring fear.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:20-21) 

He was telling them these same things throughout his 3 year ministry.  Just a few days prior, he had assured them he would “not leave them as orphans”, that he would “send them the Spirit of Truth”.  (You can read all that in John 14.)  

Now he is back, risen from the dead.  But he is not going to be walking with them anymore as the Son of God.  Instead he will be in them through the Holy Spirit – our Helper, our Counselor.

PEACE is made available to us. He has conquered fear and death.  Even when we go through hard things, HE is always present, with his nail-scared hands.  He’s changed our humanity from inside out. He is the Crucified- Resurrected One!

So, we are sent out with confidence. He breathes on us the same Spirit that brought him back from the dead to Life. Now, we can be led by Him, to do His work.

Go in Peace, in the power of the Spirit, for He is with you.

Blessings and PEACE,

Rev. Todd