Peace Be With You

Those words have many meanings to me. In the church we attend “the peace” is a sign of reconciliation, love and renewed relationships. These words are words we have shared for many years and they give me comfort. The Priest says, “The peace of the Lord be always with you.”  And we reply, “And also with you.” I think of anyone I need to “make peace” with and pray for peace with that person. I often pray to forgive or to be forgiven when we use these words in worship.

   In today’s message, I found myself thinking of these words I have used for so long in a new way, taking on a new meaning. I really enjoy when that happens especially when the “new” meaning touches me. We are still celebrating Easter. I believe I should celebrate Easter every day. What if Easter never happened?  What if the witnesses who saw Jesus after He rose from the dead never shared their story? We would likely not know much about Jesus if His followers did not go and share his story and love.

   I realize not all people believe in Easter. Some people have a different faith. Some don’t have faith in any God. I assure you as I write these words I am not judging anyone. I am simply doing what I can do to share good news. In my view, no one can persuade you to believe. You need to seek to believe for it to happen. Faith involves believing in something we can’t necessarily see or touch.

   I don’t know that I consider myself to have a great deal in common with the disciples of Jesus. These men devoted the rest of their lives to Jesus after this encounter. Many of them were imprisoned, stoned and crucified for sharing what they learned and saw in Jesus. They believed so strongly in Jesus and what he taught them that they gave their lives so that we would know about Him. I find myself writing about Him every so often. I choose to do this because I do feel very strongly that I need to share what I have come to believe and even know in my heart and soul about Jesus. You see, if these men and women did not share the story of Jesus even though it costs them their lives, we would not know His story. With Him, we have the opportunity to rewrite our own story with everlasting peace.

   In the book of John Chapter 20, verses 19-31, the disciples were locked in a room in fear for their lives.  Their Lord had been brutally murdered. They had serious doubts about their own faith. Jesus came (somehow through locked doors) and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, He showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Can you imagine the joy they must have felt? He used those words of comfort and reconciliation. Lord Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

   I believe He has sent all of us who have come to believe that He is God’s Son and our Lord and Savior to share the Good News….to share His story. I feel an overwhelming need to take a little risk every now and then with my family and friends and share His story. I am forgiven. You are forgiven.  We are forgiven.  Shouldn’t we shout it out a little more often than we do?  He gave those who were there with Him this message of peace. He sent them into the word to share this message. I love to share stories of my earthly Father, shouldn’t I find ways to share stories of my Heavenly Father?

   I know there are doubters among us. Even in the Gospel, Thomas, one of those who loved and followed Jesus would not believe He had risen until He had seen the mark of the nails and placed his finger in Jesus’s side. It is so hard for many of us to believe in something we have not actually seen and touched. Jesus went on to say “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” For so much of my life, I had so many doubts. I was a good example of what we call a “Doubting Thomas.”  Without Him, I had no peace. With Him, no matter how tough my life becomes, I feel a comforting peace. When I sought to see and feel God in my life, He did become very real. He became my greatest source of peace.

   Do I have my doubts? Of course I do. I find myself using these words, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.” He always finds a way to let me know he hears my cries for help and peace. Do I still have considerable shortcomings? Oh my, yes I do. Somewhere along the way, I believe we got mixed up in His message.  We decided if someone believes in God and Jesus, he should behave perfectly. I don’t know anyone like that. I do know people who turn to Jesus for peace and they find peace through Him. Even though I do not know anyone who is perfect, I do have amazing role models. I have never been able to find a better role model than Jesus.

   I am so sure about His peace that I am willing to write to you and ask you to consider accepting His peace. Consider receiving His gift of forgiveness and grace. If you already have, then please consider following his words, “As the Father sent me, so I send you.” I believe that if I can help just one person to seek Jesus in his or her life then our world will be a better place. Imagine if each one of us just helped one more person? Easter would be celebrated every single day. I believe that if you seek Him, you will find Him. Peace be with you.