Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Luke 24:36-38
It was now evening. The entire day of Jesus’ resurrection had passed, and in the evening, the disciples were gathered together, “behind closed doors (for fear of the Jews)” (John 20:19). Why were they fearful? They had witnessed the Jews orchestrating the execution of the Man they followed for three plus years! Might they have been wanted as outlaws, and likely to suffer the same fate? They were not all, as yet, convinced of Jesus’ resurrection.
As they timidly hunkered down behind closed doors, Jesus came and stood in the midst” (John 20:19).
A short aside here: Some claim that Jesus walked through the wall or the closed door. But it does not say that. Some insist that Jesus simply “appeared” before them. Others urge that there is no need to ascribe a miracle to this, as they may have opened the door to Him, not yet realizing it was Him. Which is it? The Bible does not say, so we do not know. Where the Bible is silent, though we may humbly speculate, we really ought not be dogmatic. Back to the point of this meditation.
When Jesus was standing in front of the disciples, He said, “Peace to you.” They needed some peace; as we have just been reminded, they in fear of the Jews (John 20:19). God’s people are often afraid for various reasons. Regardless of the validity of our fears, we often need peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Who better to deliver peace? And by what means does the Lord give His peace to His people? His Word! To them, spoken. To us, written. But do not miss that the Lord communicates peace to His people through His Word.
Let us refrain from looking elsewhere. True peace does not come from any of the other places to which we tend to turn. Entertainment, food, sleep, sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. (and the list could go on) are only temporary fixes, often followed by new and more trouble. Oh that we would look to the Lord and to His Word!
But note what Luke 24:37 says after Jesus had spoken peace to the disciples, “But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.” Even when the Lord speaks peace to us, we are sometimes still gripped by fear. Does that mean the Lord’s peace is neither true or lasting? No. It means that we are still weak in faith and given to fear. What then?
Be sure to read the next blog for the answer.