PEACE BE WITH YOU
Then the two told what had happened on the road,
and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
While they were describing these events, Jesus Himself stood among them and said,
“PeaceG1515 be with you.”
But they were startled and frightened, thinking they had seen a spirit.
“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see—
for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.
While they were still in disbelief because of their joy and amazement, He asked them,
“Do you have anything here to eat?”
So they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in front of them.
Luke 24:35-43
Suddenly, as Cleopas and his companion (some believe this could be Cleopas’s wife) who had met Jesus on the road to Emmaus were recounting their experience, Jesus appeared in their midst. Jesus blessed them with, “Peace be with you.” Peace is a word with many layers in the Greek according to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:
εἰρήνη eirḗnē, i-ray’-nay; probably from a primary verb εἴρω eírō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:—one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again. (50)
The disciples had been huddled inside with the door locked for fear that the Romans would arrest them as well. When Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” they were in dire need of peace of mind. However, the peace Jesus offers is more than tranquility and calmness. It is to be “one” again, in other words, to be in right relationship with God which brings lasting peace. He offers us the opportunity to be in harmony with God instead of in discord.
It seems Jesus’s words would have brought comfort to His followers. However, since He had just suddenly appeared in the middle of a locked room, they thought he was a ghost! Seriously, Disciples, weren’t you all just talking about the fact the Jesus was alive and had appeared to Peter and now Cleopas and friend as well? Why would you think He wasn’t real? Jesus patiently proved that He was indeed standing before them in the flesh by showing them the wounds in His hands and feet. They were amazed but still confused, so He asked for food and ate it in front them. He made the effort to bring them from frantic fear to perfect peace.
When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He offers us this peace with God, this wholeness that can only be found in a relationship with Him. We do not find this peace in following the rules or exercising certain religious rituals. To have this peace, we are required to be in an intimate relationship with our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Surrendering our lives to Him and accepting the gift of salvation—freedom from the penalty of sin that He paid in our place once for all—is only the beginning. As we walk daily with Him by reading His word and living according to Scripture and taking every concern we have to God in prayer, we will experience the peace of God in our lives. Are you enjoying this peace on a daily basis? If not, first make sure you have a relationship with Jesus. Next, ask yourself if you are living in obedience to His commands. Then, be sure to pray. Talk to the Lord every day because He is your beloved friend.
Father, we thank You for sending Jesus to grant us peace with You through His death and resurrection. Help us to experience peace in our daily lives as we live for the pleasure of our First Love, Jesus. Remind us that there is no problem too difficult for You to solve, no need to great for You to provide, no sorrow too deep for You to comfort.
Worship along with Scott Wesley Brown singing “He will Carry You”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBCcBwnW1PU