John 20:19-23 (NRSV)
Read John 20:19-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Verse 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Verse 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Verse 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Verse 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Devotion
“Peace be with you,” the risen Lord said to his fearful followers. He actually had to offer this blessing twice before it finally registered.
All parents and those who work with children know what it means to repeat themselves. While Jesus’ words are filled with compassion, I’m afraid that most of my repeated commands have been accompanied by, “How many times do I have to tell you?”
Some things are easy to get the first time, especially things we want to hear. The surprises, though, catch us off guard. I wonder what those people in the upper room thought when the man they last saw dying or dead suddenly stood in their midst? With Jesus’ first greeting, I can imagine a numbing feeling of regret at having to face the One whom they all had abandoned. Yet, I can also imagine the flooding surge of relief when his second word of “peace” finally took hold and filled their hearts with forgiveness and love. It is a word that cannot be spoken too often in our world.
Prayer
O Everlasting Father, O Prince of Peace, we long to hear your Shalom! ring in our ears and throughout the nations. Work within us your great gift of grace, that we might become recipients of and witnesses to your peace that passes all understanding. Amen.