Easter is over and we return to our everyday world, but because Easter happened, that world has changed. Jesus’ resurrection fills the world with new possibilities if we are willing to see them. As Sophia from Golden Girls would say, “Picture it: Israel 33AD.” The apostles are gathered in a closed room, hiding in fear from the authorities, wondering if they will come after them next. They tremble at every creak and noise; they are terrified! They are certain the authorities know they are Jesus’ followers and are certain some group will be looking for them to put an end to the whole Jesus affair.
How often do we live in fear someone will find out what we have done or who we really are and punish us? We live in fear. Now, some fear is a good thing, but to live constantly in fear is not. The disciples were in that room feeling it was all over, then something amazing happened that changed their minds and their lives forever. As they sat in that room, Jesus suddenly appeared among them! Can you imagine sitting there when suddenly the person you believe to be dead appears in the room without coming through the door? I have no words for how I imagine that would feel. Jesus knew how they felt. His first words to them were “Peace be with you.” (John 20:21 NRSV) Before giving instructions or breathing on them and telling them to receive the Holy Spirit, he says “Peace, be with you.” Jesus knows what they need; they need their fears calmed and peace to be in their hearts and minds, so they can accept the new reality and begin the next phase of their journey.
Jesus still calls to us today – “Peace be with you.” He knows that before we can be effective for the kingdom, we need to be at peace. We need His peace to fill us and to calm our hearts, our minds, and our lives. We cannot serve God while we are still living in the angst of what is happening or of what might happen. I have been privileged to know many people who have that peace in their lives and to witness the way in which they share the Gospel with a quiet calm spirit that reaches out to others. We need that spirit of peace in our lives today perhaps more than ever. As I watch the news and read newspaper and magazine articles, I find it is easy to be overcome by all the evil in our world, to be jaded by our political and social divisions that cause more fear, anger, and hatred to be expressed openly and loudly. I wonder if this is all a part of the plan of what scripture calls the prince of power of the air to so burden our minds and keep us from focusing on the resurrection of Jesus, which promises us that death and the grave have been overcome. In the resurrection, Jesus shows us His power over all things and beings and that He is in control even when it seems otherwise. It is difficult for us to see and understand when we are surrounded by so much brokenness, sorrow, division, and evil, but imagine how difficult it was for those who were locked away in that room in fear of the people who had crucified Jesus. The fear we feel is not new it is as old as time and it is based on the lie that evil is in charge and has the power to control everything. Evil may win for a time but ultimately Jesus is the victor.
I pray we can focus our hearts and minds on that ultimate victory; that we can hold the resurrection promise in our lives and trust in the grace of God to lead us forward boldly to share the word of God. We may die in the process but we are promised that death has been overcome and we too will be resurrected in perfection. May the promise of Easter live in our hearts today and always.
Hallelujah! He is risen!
How often do we live in fear someone will find out what we have done or who we really are and punish us? We live in fear. Now, some fear is a good thing, but to live constantly in fear is not. The disciples were in that room feeling it was all over, then something amazing happened that changed their minds and their lives forever. As they sat in that room, Jesus suddenly appeared among them! Can you imagine sitting there when suddenly the person you believe to be dead appears in the room without coming through the door? I have no words for how I imagine that would feel. Jesus knew how they felt. His first words to them were “Peace be with you.” (John 20:21 NRSV) Before giving instructions or breathing on them and telling them to receive the Holy Spirit, he says “Peace, be with you.” Jesus knows what they need; they need their fears calmed and peace to be in their hearts and minds, so they can accept the new reality and begin the next phase of their journey.
Jesus still calls to us today – “Peace be with you.” He knows that before we can be effective for the kingdom, we need to be at peace. We need His peace to fill us and to calm our hearts, our minds, and our lives. We cannot serve God while we are still living in the angst of what is happening or of what might happen. I have been privileged to know many people who have that peace in their lives and to witness the way in which they share the Gospel with a quiet calm spirit that reaches out to others. We need that spirit of peace in our lives today perhaps more than ever. As I watch the news and read newspaper and magazine articles, I find it is easy to be overcome by all the evil in our world, to be jaded by our political and social divisions that cause more fear, anger, and hatred to be expressed openly and loudly. I wonder if this is all a part of the plan of what scripture calls the prince of power of the air to so burden our minds and keep us from focusing on the resurrection of Jesus, which promises us that death and the grave have been overcome. In the resurrection, Jesus shows us His power over all things and beings and that He is in control even when it seems otherwise. It is difficult for us to see and understand when we are surrounded by so much brokenness, sorrow, division, and evil, but imagine how difficult it was for those who were locked away in that room in fear of the people who had crucified Jesus. The fear we feel is not new it is as old as time and it is based on the lie that evil is in charge and has the power to control everything. Evil may win for a time but ultimately Jesus is the victor.
I pray we can focus our hearts and minds on that ultimate victory; that we can hold the resurrection promise in our lives and trust in the grace of God to lead us forward boldly to share the word of God. We may die in the process but we are promised that death has been overcome and we too will be resurrected in perfection. May the promise of Easter live in our hearts today and always.
Hallelujah! He is risen!
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