A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:26-28
“Peace be with you.” This will always remain a shocking greeting.
“Peace be with you.” “It’s OK.” “Everything is alright.” “Relax, we’re good.” This is not what we expect to hear from Jesus as he greets his old friends.
The shock lies in the surprise. We’ve been conditioned to expect something very different. Jesus should be angry. His friends deserted him. No one stood up for him. No protests were launched. No secret Seal Team 6 rescue attempts were made. It had been over a week and they still were too scared to be seen in public.
It seems that Jesus doesn’t speak “shame”. He doesn’t put his friends down. He meets their fear with his love. “Peace be with you.”
Jesus always meets our fears, our limitations, our failures, even our misguided attempts to transcend ourselves….with love.
That’s enough for Thomas. Jesus seems to have shown up just for him. Jesus came to Thomas in the way that would work for Thomas. His greeting was enough. “Peace be with you” was met with “My Lord and my God!”
I trust that Jesus will meet you as well in the way that works for you. He’ll just show up. Even through the locked doors of your fears, your resentments, your unwillingness. You’ll know him when he shows. You’ll know the sound of his voice. He’ll know your name. And he will speak the language of love.
Let us pray: For all who mistrust, for all who have given up, for all who need to see you, Jesus, we offer our prayers this morning. Work the miracle of faith in their lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
April 3, 2013 at 7:59 pm |
It is so easy to look at things I do are the result of my own will and deny the ever presence of Christ thru his spirit giving me the clues to comfort a friend, pray for a renewed sense of hope for persons facing suffering in health or relationship breakdowns or end of life conditions or job loss or the joys of new birth or recovery or any of the issues of life where I am prompted to take some caring action for others or sometimes even for self. If I really examine myself and my motives, I hope to continue to be surprised at how much my life has been guided by Christ. As I look back over 78+ years, I can truly see doors opening or closing and the prompting gentle hand of my Lord giving me direction. I know not from whence the voice comes but I KNOW i am confronted often thru thoughts that are more Christ’s nature than my own. thank you for your words of comfort and hope. Amen-John Bowers
April 4, 2013 at 3:39 pm |
Amen, come Lord Jesus! Amen, come Holy Spirit! I cherish our quiet time together…my Lord and my God.