PEACE FOR THE DOUBTER
Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked,
and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said,
“PeaceG1515 be with you.” Then Jesus said to Thomas,
“Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side.
Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:26-29
Thomas had not been present when Jesus suddenly appeared in the middle of the locked room before. Jesus again begins with “Peace be with you” addressed to all there, but perhaps especially for Thomas. Thomas was still not sure that Jesus had literally risen from the dead. In order for Thomas to be certain, Jesus offered him the opportunity to touch the wounds He suffered when crucified. At that point Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas could now experience peace—wholeness, nothing broken and nothing missing, completeness. This peace is available to us as well. In fact, Jesus promised a blessing for those of us who have believed Him without being able to see Him in person as Thomas did. This kind of peace is only made possible through trusting Jesus as the Son of God who died as a sacrifice for OUR sin and was miraculously raised from the dead. Jesus Christ was the perfect, spotless, sinless Lamb of God. God in the person of the Son was His own Lamb.
Hebrews 7:27(NIV) Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.
Peace was available not only to Thomas and the other disciples of Jesus but for all who believe and place their trust in Jesus. Peace with God—freedom from the prison of our sin and the fear of God’s wrath—is available through Jesus only. Once we have been given this gift by the grace of God, we can have peace within—peace during times of difficulty, peace when everything seems topsy turvy. We access this peace by internalizing Scripture and praying when tempted to worry. Make a list of Bible verses that remind you to be at peace. Perhaps a list of Scriptural songs that bring you peace would be useful as well. Perhaps you might write out your own “Prayer for Peace.”
Father, in times of stress, illness, fear, remind us to bring it all to You with thanksgiving for the times You have helped us before and the knowledge that You will never leave us or fail us. Help us to peacefully rest despite difficult circumstances as we lean in to be enveloped by Your presence.
Worship and allow yourself to be surrounded by His peace as you listen to The Martins singing “In the Presence of Jehovah”