A Reminder That God Will ProvideEgzanp

Jesus Is Alive. “Peace Be With You.” 

By Rev. Roger Woller, Chaplain

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:31)

It was a Sunday. We now know it as the first Easter Sunday. The disciples heard that Jesus was alive, which is exactly what he had said would happen. They just could not believe that Jesus was alive. How could this be true? The people who had convinced Pilate to crucify Jesus were still out there. The disciples were afraid, terrified. The body of their master, rabbi, was missing, not in the tomb. 

Even with doors locked, the disciples were shaking with fear. Suddenly, there stands the risen Jesus before them. The first thing Jesus says to them is “Peace be with you!” Jesus was alive. He was not a ghost. He had a real body. They could touch and feel him. He was alive.

Thomas the disciple was not in the room that day. Later, he did not believe that Jesus could be alive. Even though the other disciples had told him that Jesus was indeed alive, he would have to see Jesus for himself.

The next week, the disciples were in a locked room again, and this time, Thomas was with them. Suddenly, the risen Jesus is standing in the room. The first thing he says is “Peace be with you!”  Thomas saw. Thomas touched. Thomas believed. Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive, just as he had promised.  

What does it take to make you believe? What will it take for you to have the same peace that Jesus offered to his disciples? That peace is yours through faith in Jesus the risen Savior. 

What will it take to make you believe? The answer is in the verse from the Gospel of John 20:31: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing, I may have eternal life in your name. Amen.