Experiencing Peace

Experiencing Peace

Luke 24:33-37, NLT

And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” 35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

John 20:19-21, NLT

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

Setting the Scene

The disciples, still confused and afraid, were gathered “behind locked doors.” They probably were discussing the reports of the women, Peter, and John, and Mary’s claim that she had seen Jesus. More news arrived with the two men from Emmaus, who breathlessly told the rest of the group they had met Jesus on the road and had spent the day with him.

Luke wrote that this was when Jesus made his first appearance to his gathered disciples (although Thomas was missing from the group). Suddenly Jesus stood among them. His first words to his group of followers and disciples, all of whom had deserted him in his time of greatest need, were, “Peace be with you.” This was a standard Hebrew greeting, but Jesus repeated it for emphasis and with profound meaning: Jesus’ presence brought deep and lasting peace to their troubled hearts.

Getting Personal

At what times in life have you felt that your life was in chaos?

What recent events and concerns threaten to steal your peace of mind and heart?

Isaiah wrote, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3, NLT). How can you access that peace today?

Imagine the chaos of Jerusalem during those recent days—Passover pilgrims, angry mob, soldiers, crucifixions, darkness at noon, earthquake, and disillusioned and terrified followers of Jesus, huddled in fear. But Jesus came and brought peace. Jesus had told his disciples, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT).

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, he brought peace with God. And through his presence by the Holy Spirit, he brings the peace of God—the confident assurance that all is well because he is in control and because he loves us and is with us (see Romans 8).

Talking to God

God has promised peace to those who fix their thoughts on him. Prayer focuses on the Lord and who he is. As you focus on him today, reaffirm your trust in him and ask for the blessing of his peace, which comes from being in his presence.