Peace Be With You!

Jesus said, “Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” - John 20:21

The disciples are all huddled in a home with the doors locked, fearful of the Jews who might come and slaughter them as they have crucified Jesus.  Yet Jesus is among them in the house and He reveals Himself to them.  Yet even one week later they are again inside the home with locked doors and Jesus comes through the doors.  I want to believe that after seeing Him alive again with his nail scars they would not be afraid anymore, but as I consider that I think about myself and how I am afraid sometimes.  I want to believe that after having experienced my risen Savior personally I would not be afraid of anything of this world, but sometimes I do still find some hidden fears.  How can that be?  Where God isn't, fear is.

Three times in seven verses does Jesus say "Peace to you" as He reveals Himself to them.  I have to believe this is purposeful.  It conveys a sense of directed calm at His disciples who, being locked in a home together afraid for their lives, seem to need some assurance.  But maybe He is also calling back to their memory of His teachings, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)  "Peace to you" Jesus greets them,  "My peace to you ... do not be afraid." 

"As my Father has sent Me, I am sending you."  "Where?"  I am sure this is the first question asked by the disciples.  And this is quickly followed by relief with the thoughts, "Thank you Lord!  Those Jews out there want to kill us."  Completely misunderstanding that it is to those Jews they are being sent.  "Peace be with you!" Jesus commands as He greets them.  My perception of this is He is conveying their purpose.  ...  Where My peace is no man can reach and no man can overcome.  "My peace be with you! ... Do not be afraid. ... I am sending you."  Don't huddle inside this home afraid!  I am sending you for Me just as I was sent for Him.  Believe in Me with your whole heart!  Follow Me!

Jesus had prayed for these disciples specifically in John 17:20-23.  He also prayed for you and me specifically as one who believes in Him through their word.  "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."

As Jesus sent His disciples who followed Him as He went being sent by our Father God.  So shall we who believe in Jesus through the words of His disciples be sent so that the world may know that Jesus was sent by the Father and He loves us just as the Father loves Him.

Peace be with you!  As the Father sent Jesus and Jesus sent the disciples, He sends you and me!