"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:19,20 NIV
We live in a world of unrest. Our economy, politics, health and any number of concerns can, and will, weigh us down. We look to systems, drugs, booze, relationships and whatever else we can grab onto for a quick fix of peace.
Jesus' followers had just witness an angry mob executed Jesus. Their hopes and dreams were destroyed. Now they were hiding out from the religious leaders that had Jesus executed. They were a little stressed out, to say the least.
But in their darkest hour Jesus appears to them and says these words; "Peace be with you." The Greek word for "Peace" is "Erine". It means a state of rest, quietness and calmness; an absence of strife; tranquility. It denotes a state of perfect well being.
Notice Jesus didn't say go to war or circle the wagons. He encouraged His followers that they would have peace. Peace in the midst of chaos, disasters, persecution and anything elese that would come their way. The Bible calls Jesus the Prince of Peace. He gives us the peace that transends all understanding. That peace even leads to joy.
I know that after many years of unrest, I finally found true peace in Jesus. Peace when Peggy battled cancer. Peace when our finances get slim. Peace when everything around me is going crazy. Jesus offers us peace. Peace with God and man. Peace in a world in crisis. Eternal peace in Him.
Where do you find your peace?
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