While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ (Luke 24:36)
Before the disciples could even agree what the stories of Christ’s resurrection meant, he appeared to them and set them straight. He gave them physical evidence and taught them from the Scriptures how the it was God’s plan that he be raised from the dead. He then them the job of becoming witnesses, of carrying the testimony of God’s great sacrificial love not just around the neighborhood, but to the world.
And even before he did all this, he gave them peace. Peace with Christ and peace with each other is absolutely necessary if we are going to accomplish anything for the kingdom of God.
Matthew Henry reflects on this verse –
“When at any time we are troubled, thoughts are apt to rise in our hearts that do us hurt. Sometimes the trouble is the effect of the thoughts that arise in our hearts; our griefs and fears take rise from those things that are the creatures of our own fancy. Sometimes the thoughts arising in the heart are the effect of the trouble, without are fightings and then within are fears.”
When Christ comes to us, he offers us the non-anxious presence that helps us be who God created us to be.
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