Luke 24:36<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\npeace be with you<\/h3>\n
The doors were closed. The disciples had every reason to be afraid. His teacher and friend Jesus Christ was crucified. News of his resurrection was circulating, but it all seemed too good to be true. And if the authorities had killed Jesus, what could they have done to his followers?<\/p>\n
The room was filled with fear. Fear of the future. Fear of pain. scared to death. In that fear, Jesus came and stood among them.<\/p>\n
He didn’t knock. He did not wait for permission. He just appeared. And the first words he spoke were not words of correction or despair. He didn’t say, “Why did you doubt?” or “Why did you run away?”<\/p>\n
He said, “May you rest in peace.” It was more than a greeting. This was an announcement.<\/p>\n
Just a few days earlier, these disciples had failed Him. They had debated over who was the greatest. When he was arrested they had fled. Peter had even denied knowing him. Their fear and weakness were recent failures.<\/p>\n
Yet Jesus came with peace. This is the peace he won for them. His death on the cross paid for every sin. His resurrection proved that forgiveness was complete. This is also the peace that He brings to you.<\/p>\n
You know your failures. You know the times when fear overpowered faith, when faith was replaced by worry, when sin spoke louder than the promises of God. Your conscience reminds you of what you have done wrong. And yet Jesus still comes.<\/p>\n
Through His Word, He stands among His people and says, “Peace be with you.” Your sins are forgiven. Your guilt is gone. Your relationship with God has been restored. This peace does not depend on your strength. It depends on the work he has completed. Jesus is alive. The cross matters. Forgiveness is real.<\/p>\n
Whatever fear is troubling your heart today, your risen Savior stands with you. He is not far. He is not absent. he is alive. And He still speaks the words you need most. “peace be with you.”<\/p>\n
\nPrayer:<\/h4>\n
Risen Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing your peace to fearful hearts. Remind me that my sins are forgiven and that you are with me always. Strengthen my faith and calm my fears with your promises. Amen.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Daily devotionals brought to you by WELS.<\/em><\/p>\n\nThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivative Works 3.0 United States License.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\nAll scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version\u00ae, NIV\u00ae. Copyright \u00a91973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.\u2122 Used with permission from Zondervan. All rights reserved world wide.<\/em><\/p>\n