This year during Holy Week I felt inspired to read about Jesus’ last days on this earth, about His death and resurrection, taking into account all four gospels; to see the differences and the similarities. It was then captivating to continue on with reading the book of Acts journeying with the disciples after Jesus ascended into heaven returning to God, the Father.
PEACE is one recurring theme that struck me especially in the gospel of John.
Jesus wanted His disciples to have peace both once Jesus died and when He returned to heaven at the Ascension.
Along with His Peace, Jesus also gave some commissions to the disciples; what they needed to be doing after Jesus ascended back to God, His Father.
I believe since we participate in these same celebrations each year in our liturgical year that we should live knowing that Jesus is imparting these same gifts to us, my dear readers! Our lives should model those of the first disciples since we too are called to be disciples of Jesus!
This week, as you read these thoughts, come experience Jesus imparting His Peace, His Peace that surpasses all understanding to your life!
Let’s see if we can carry out Jesus’ commission as well. Take a few minutes to see what Jesus says not only to His disciples but to YOU too as we delve deeper into John’s account!
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There were three instances before Jesus was even arrested and sentenced to die that criminal death, for you and me, that Jesus was trying to comfort His disciples. Try putting yourself in the shoes as one of the disciples as we read some of these passages.
The setting for these first verses is right after Jesus tells you and the other disciples that He will only be with you for a little longer. Where He is going you cannot come yet. He also just finishes telling Peter that soon he will deny knowing Jesus three times!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” –John 14:1-4 (NIV)
Isn’t it so endearing to hear Jesus’ concern for you?
Jesus does not want your heart to be troubled! He tells you to trust in God and Him!!
Jesus knows that the antidote for your troubled heart is TRUST!
Everything is going to be okay; God’s plan is always at work.
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Jesus continues talking with you all and assures you He will never leave you orphaned. After Jesus dies, God, the Father will send the Holy Spirit to you. He will remind you of everything Jesus has shared. For a second time, Jesus says,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” –John 14:27 (NIV)
Jesus wants you to know that you, being in total fellowship with God, will have that true peace, the peace that the world cannot understand.
It is a peace that surpasses all understanding; a real and present peace deep in your heart.
Truly, Jesus wants you to know that your heart does not need to be troubled or afraid any longer.
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You and the other disciples are confused when Jesus says you will not see Him soon but later you will see Him again; that He is returning to the Father. Jesus says the world will rejoice soon but you all will grieve at first and then your grief will turn to joy. Jesus then says,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –John 16:33 (NIV)
Jesus is sharing for a third time that despite the troubles you may face in this world, you can replace it with His peace!
Yes, soon, He will gain victory over this world!
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Judas, one of the twelve of you, betrays Jesus and is so distraught that he ends up taking his life. Peter, indeed does deny Jesus three times! Jesus turns and looks straight into Peter’s eyes at that moment. (Luke 22:61) Peter feels such remorse as soon as that third denial comes out of his mouth. He goes outside and weeps bitterly. (Luke 22:62) The time has come for Jesus to be arrested, crucified, and die. He is laid in a tomb but the best news, the Good News, is that three days later Jesus rises from the dead!
From Matthew’s gospel, we learn that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who arrive at the tomb first, find it empty and do not know where Jesus is.
The women hurry away,
“afraid yet filled with joy” –Matthew 28:8 (NIV)
as they go to share the news with you and the other disciples. Jesus meets the women on their journey and the first thing He says is,
“Do not be afraid!” –Matthew 28:10 (NIV)
Jesus’ first Risen appearance was to these women and He wanted to make sure they were not afraid either!
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From John’s gospel we see three more cases where Jesus meets you all, again, with His risen body, and extends His Peace to you~~
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the eleven of you are together behind locked doors for fear of the Jews, suddenly Jesus appears among you and says,
“Peace be with you!” –John 20:19 (NIV)
You observe the nail marks in His hands and side and again Jesus says,
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” –John 20:21 (NIV)
Jesus then breathes on the ten of you and says,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” –John 20:22 (NIV)
The Risen Jesus is extending you His Peace wanting you all to know everything is being fulfilled according to God’s plan.
Jesus is imparting that Holy Spirit to you so that you are never alone. The Spirit will guide your life!
Jesus is giving you the power to forgive people’s sins encouraging you to forgive others so that your sins may be forgiven too!
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The one disciple, Thomas, was not with the rest of you that first night of Jesus’ appearance, so he does not believe that you all really saw Jesus. A week later when Thomas is with you all, though the doors are locked, Jesus comes and stands among up and says,
“Peace be with you!” –John 20:26 (NIV)
And specifically to Thomas,
“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” –John 20:27 (NIV)
Jesus wants to make sure that ALL of His disciples, every one of you, experiences that peace that goes with meeting the Risen Jesus and stays with you for the rest of your life!
Do not doubt and believe!
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Jesus appears once more to you disciples along the Sea of Galilee and this is where Jesus forgives and redeems Peter from His denial of Jesus before He was put to death. Jesus shows His great love for Peter despite his flaws and failings.
Jesus says to Peter after the end of their conversation,
“Follow me!”
Despite Peter denying Jesus, Jesus extends His unconditional love for Peter.
Peter is forgiven just as you are when you repent of your sins!
Soak up Jesus’ great love and forgiveness for you!
He wants you to follow Him!
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Matthew’s gospel has Jesus’ Great Commission for you eleven:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
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With reflecting on Jesus’ last encounters with you disciples, the Peace He imparts to you and the instructions of His Great Commission think about how you experienced this perfect sequence of events~~
The Presence of God
gives you
The Peace of God
which leads to
The Power of God
which enables
The People of God
to carry out
The Plans of God!!
What a perfect summary!
Credit for the wisdom and truth of that ending sequence goes to a Pastor friend of mine whom I was sharing thoughts about peace with!
My prayer for you this week is that each day you will experience on a deeper level the Presence of God giving you the Peace of God, which He extends to you, which leads to the Power of God which enables you, the People of God to carry out the Plans of God!!
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! –Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. –Acts 6:7 (NIV)
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. –John 15:8 (NIV)
Again, as always, very beautifully written.
Thanks,
Peace to you, my friend,
Sandy
Thank you so much for faithfully reading, Sandy, as well as for the blessing of encouragement. You are a blessing and I miss seeing your smiling face. Peace to you as well, Sandy! 🙂