Jesus Offered Peace (John 20:19)
Gary McManus, 03/22/2020Part of the Jesus Came to Restore series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Jesus, Fear, Shame, Peace
Back story to this scene: the last supper, garden prayer, Jesus’ arrest, trial,
crucifixion and death.(See Matthew 16:22 and Matthew 26:33-35)
Not all the disciples have been to the empty tomb.
It is completely understandable that the disciples
are at this point behind locked doors for fear of the authorities.
This is not social distancing. There is no plague.
However, the disciples believe there is a threat of death,
and they are keeping inside to themselves.
There are some parallels to our present situation.
The disciples in John Chapter 20 and we have this in common
—behind closed doors with a threat of death coming in.
A word about shame. (See Matthew 26:35)
There can be little doubt that the disciples have a sense of shame and remorse.
How difficult it would be to take yourself TO Jesus after what they had done.
But Jesus, knowing how humanly difficult this situation must be, took the first step and went to or came to the disciples.
And Jesus said one word. . .peace.
If this is the same John, disciples AND author,
this same John is sure to tell us that what Jesus first and foremost offered to his frightened and ashamed followers, or maybe they considered themselves former followers of Jesus because until that moment how could they possibly have known where they stood with Jesus and Jesus’ mission?
John recorded precious words of Jesus who offered peace:
(John 14:27, John 16:33, John 20:19-26) John 14:27
Jesus’ offer of peace is different. Jesus’ offer of peace is better.
How do you generally imagine the disciples of Jesus?
John recorded these Jesus words for you and me.
Jesus blessing of peace is a GIFT.
(See Matthew 10:13, Luke 10:5-6).
The peace gift given is from God Himself.
This gift of peace comes at many levels. . .
But the gift of peace is not dependent on your level of faith.
Did not Jesus say to the disciples, "You of little faith"?
(Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:26, Matthew 14:31, Matthew 16:8, Luke 12:28)
No matter HOW (or why) you feel that you may have
distanced yourself (or been distanced) from God,
Jesus proclaims TO YOU the gift of peace.
SO, how to access this peace?
Jesus.
Find the times and places when and where we can feel, experience, or appreciate the divine presence of the risen Jesus.
Jesus had said that Jesus would come to you. . .
(John 21:14, John 14:16)
--Physical experiences of peace
--Experiences of peace in extreme circumstances
We may have to “follow instructions”.
(IT isn’t having more faith or not enough faith.)
Remember the words of the Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 13:11.
Amen.
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