THE RESURRECTION ENABLES PEACE

Then, the same day at evening, beginning the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled … Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you!”

Whenthey placed the body of Jesus in the tomb that Friday afternoon, the disciples must have felt that their whole world had come apart. They had truly believed that He was their long-awaited Messiah. But they had just watched Rome cruelly torture and kill him; just as they had watched others die. “How is this possible?” they must have wondered. Their peace was crushed, and everything they thought they had learned about faith and hope were now dead. The uncertainty that loomed in front of them must have seemed like a gigantic storm certain to devour them.

And now, here we are, 2000 years later peeking into the uncertainty that we face in the light of world events: earthquakes of unimaginable proportions; political unrest and violence; mass-murder in the news on an almost daily basis; wars that threatens to entangle us; rising inflation and deep economic instability. But we would do well to remember that the early disciples were facing issues that make our problems seem pretty small by comparison. We may not feel a lot of economic or political security, but they were an entirely subjugated people living hard lives under an oppressive Roman rule. Yes, we face difficulties, but they faced imprisonment, and almost certain death simply for living out their faith. We aren’t sure if the events half-a-world away will impact us directly, but they didn’t have to look around the world for hardship, because it was on their front doorstep every day.

There is something that we, and the early disciples share in common, though. THE KNOWLEDGE

THAT JESUS IS RISEN!

And that reality brings perspective to every struggle, both small and great that we will ever face. The first evening after Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to His disciples and declared an amazing reality in one solitary word: PEACE.

Jesus had risen bodily, and he immediately resurrected for them a memory, something he had said to them right before his arrest, trial and crucifixion: “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.” (John 14:27)

Jesus reminded them of his promise of PEACE. No matter what the circumstances, no matter how uncertain our future is, nor how difficult it might become, one thing is absolutely sure: GOD IS WITH US. Just at the moment when the disciples felt the least peaceful, Jesus personally stepped into their world to assure them of His watchful care. They had just witnessed Rome brutally kill the leader of their small company, and it was no logical leap to assume they would be next.

(And indeed, that wasn’t far from the truth.) But right into THAT VERY REALITY, Jesus spoke peace. Jesus promised peace. Jesus predicted peace. And here’s the amazing truth: Jesus IS peace.

Could you use a good dose of PEACE today? Jesus tells us to “ … not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ … for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow …” (Matthew 6:31-34) And if you worry that you might not fulfill your God-given mission, you can rest in God’s peace on that issue as well. Jesus said, “… Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

(Matthew 10:19-20)

Jesus does not instruct us to be unprepared, but He does instruct us not to worry about whether or not God will be with us through our difficulties. Trusting Him with the outcome of our lives and witness is a wonderful, peaceful path.

Looking into the passage of John 20 one more time, we also take great comfort from the fact that the Lord spoke peace to his followers not just once, but twice. “So, Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you!’ As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21)

Jesus does not simply command that we be at peace, but He GIVES US PEACE IN INSTALLMENTS.

He gives us day-by-day portions of His peace, so that no matter what challenges we face, no matter how uphill the climb, no matter how uncertain our future might be, we can live right in the center of HIS GREAT PEACE!

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Psalm 130:1-6

Atage 19, I transferred to Asbury College. I did not yet know Jesus, barely even knew anything about Him. On my first day in chapel in Hughes Auditorium, I had no idea what we were doing in there or why. Then the singing started. I had never heard that kind of singing. But what was even more remarkable to me was, as I looked around, kids my own age were singing robustly from their hearts! They had brought their own Bibles and were taking notes, during the preaching. They seemed to understand what the preacher was talking about. They flooded down to that rail thing, and I heard that they were meeting God there. I was so drawn to the whole deal, fascinated by people who actually knew Jesus and loved Him. This made me extremely curious and filled my soul with longing. I had many intellectual struggles with religion, but in my heart the Spirit allowed me to place my hope in these new friends and their experiences of knowing God. After a few months of seeking, I heard His Voice for myself, and I have never recovered from that beautiful sound.

On February 8, 2023, at Asbury University, the risen, living Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, came to offer His heart of Holy Love to the student body. To revive means to re-life. The Father had heard their cries; He’d seen their pain, fear, anxiety, sin and captivity. Jesus came to rescue them and to bring them into His very Life. He poured out His Spirit upon and into those who would receive Him. Many did. Many watched in wonder and came back into Hughes with permission from the Holy One to simply sit with Him in curiosity. Jesus loves that.

What the curious found when they heard Jesus say, “Come and see!” was that His Presence there was safe. Even as He was looking right into their minds, souls, past screw ups, hearts of wounded cynicism, and dark sin, His light-bringing conviction was coming forth from His loving heart. His holiness is alluring and was inviting those on the edge of their seats, “Come to Me!” They found rest.

While I was ministering on the prayer team at the altar in Hughes, I took in the continual worship rhythm of Scripture, testimony, and proclamation. Never did people stop coming to the altar. Music is the heart language of the young. The sense I got during the singing worship was mutual giving and receiving between us and Jesus. He seemed to hear our hearts in our voices as we loved Him with our song words, and there was something like a swell in the room. It wasn’t only volume, but quality fullness, as though He was receiving our love and worship and it was bringing Him great joy. Sometimes our song words were about what He does in and for us. We received His love in hushed tones of awe, and then we’d just be so overcome, we’d sing from depths of fullness that were loud.

Emotionalism could have driven the music worship, but the student team never went there. They indeed led us continually to focus on the Person of Jesus Himself, our King and Redeemer, our Knower and Lover and Healer.

By the time I arrived it was day 9, and I recognized my 19 year old self in these seekers from near and far. The response of the Asbury University students openly coming to Jesus, worshiping Him with abandon, testifying to cleansing from sin, deliverance from anxiety, and fullness of joy, unleashed the latent, but fully human created longing for God, in young people all over the country and the world! They were invited by the Spirit to “Come and see!” what Jesus was doing in the lives of kids their own age.

Meeting and praying with them at that rail thing was such a joy.

Some came in speechless, tearful offerings of thanksgiving to Jesus, draped over the altar, and just wanted someone to pray words with them.

Many came wanting Jesus for the first time ever. In that space they were utterly free to come with great expectation even though they had no Christian vocabulary for their longings. And they knew that was fine with God, that all He wanted was for them to come to Him. I’d tell them, “That’s OK! Jesus IS the Word! He doesn’t care if you don’t know what to say.”

I asked each person if they’d ever given their lives to Jesus. Many had not and would say, “But I want to!! I don’t know how to do that! How do I do that?!” Together, I walked with them into the goodness of Who He is and what He has done for and will do in their lives. “Jesus is God. He’s the Creator of the universe. He became human so that He can recreate our human predicament and restore us to His dream for our lives. He is the One Who bears your sin. Take it off of you, and let Him place it into Himself. The cost of sin is death. He died your death. He receives your voice of confession right now. He forgives you.”

They confessed their sins aloud to Jesus. “Jesus, I’m sorry for… Forgive me for…” With each statement their voices rose in intensity of joy and freedom, sometimes their confessions grew longer as they experienced the freedom of God’s release. Often they wouldn’t look up. I’d say, “Look at me, look at my face. Jesus has set you free! He wants to give you His Life of victory, cleansing, wholeness, and freedom. Will you receive His Life?” Everyone I prayed with did!

A guy drove a thousand miles, was the first one in the door, ran to the altar and threw himself on the floor heaving in despair for an hour. He found help and hope.