As usual, the transcript of today’s message can be read below
LUKE 24:36-49
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”45 Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
LUKE 24:36-49 = PEACE BE WITH YOU
Springford Baptist Church: Sunday, April 26, 2020.
What are the first words we will say to each other when we are able to be together again in person?
The words that Jesus speaks to His disciples after He has been brought back to life and after they have gone through such sorrow and anguish are these simple words, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.” (vs. 36)
This was a traditional greeting of the time. Now it takes on such significance because it is Jesus right here among them speaking these words.
The words , “Peace be with you” would have seemed so empty and meaningless when Jesus was taken from them. Now that He is here, peace is entirely possible.
Yet, what is their initial response? “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.” (vs 37)
Jesus is right here with them offering them peace, but they think there must be some other explanation.
Jesus understands what is happening with them. He says, “Why are you troubled and why do doubts rise in your minds”? (vs. 37)
We know what it is to feel troubled and to have doubts rise in our minds, don’t we?
When the circumstances of our lives overwhelm us and we struggle to believe that Jesus is with us, then peace seems impossible.
This has been a week of overwhelming circumstances for many people. In the midst of this COVID19 crisis, we have heard of the tragic events in Nova Scotia that claimed several lives. Our thoughts and prayers have been with people there. Certainly, people are deeply troubled and doubts rise.
Can there be peace when dreadful things happen? Can there be peace when we are afraid? Can there be peace when what we thought was reliable and stable in our world is not?
I am reminded of a conversation that Jesus had with His followers before His death. It is recorded in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Peace is only possible for Jesus disciples because He really is with them. Peace is only possible for any of us because Jesus really is with us.
Jesus can give us this gift of peace. It is a lasting peace that is not overcome or swept away by troubling circumstances.
The temporary peace that the world makes available is a peace dependent on things going along in a predictable and pleasing fashion without bumps in the road.
We quickly realize don’t we, that this is not real life.
The miracle of the peace Jesus can provide when He says, “PEACE BE WITH YOU” is a peace that is possible when we are feeling troubled and afraid.
Jesus is willing to give His disciples the evidence, the proof they need to believe that it really is Him with them and as a result to receive His peace. He says, “Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself” Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and blood. (vs. 39)
Then He provides further proof when He takes a piece of broiled fish and eats it right there in front of them. (vss. 40, 41)
This is also evidence and proof for us when we read these eyewitness reports that Jesus really had been raised back to life and His offer of peace is validated. It was peace that He could give His disciples then and it is peace that we can now receive as well.
Jesus carefully explains that what has happened was already recorded in Scripture and it has been fulfilled right in front of them. They have seen the truth of all of this with their own eyes. And now there is a purpose for them because repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached to all nations beginning in Jerusalem. And they will be witnesses to these things. (vss. 45-48)
They were only able to offer the peace of Jesus Christ because they themselves had experienced it.
They could live the truth of not letting their hearts be troubled and not being afraid because Jesus was with them and giving them His peace.
As we take hold of this and receive the peace that Jesus offers, we too are intended to share His peace.
The gift of His peace in these troubling times is not something to hoard and keep for ourselves. It is to be shared.
The disciples were instructed to stay there in Jerusalem until the Father sent what He had promised. (vs. 49) This was the gift of the Holy Spirit. They would not be alone in living their lives and bringing the peace of Jesus to their world and neither are we. Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to serve our Lord.
The final verses of our Scripture from Luke 24 describe what the disciples did while waiting there in Jerusalem for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus had blessed them and was taken up into heaven, they worshipped Him and they stayed continually at the temple praising God. (vss. 50-53)
While waiting they could
praise God because the peace of Christ remained with them. While we
are in a time of waiting, will we also choose to experience the peace
that Jesus offers us?
“PEACE BE WITH
YOU”!