An Easter Thought

What comes to your mind when you think about Easter?

Forgiveness. Life. Spring. Joy.

In John 20:19-23 it’s interesting that on the first Easter, Jesus appears to his disciples and tells them, “Peace be with you.”

¹⁹ On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,^[a] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”  John 20:19-23 ESV

The disciples were in a spirit of fear. Odd. I’ve never thought of the word fear when thinking of Easter but that is what the disciples were experiencing. Jesus could of told the disciples anything, He could of explained His miraculous resurrection but instead he simply wishes them peace. He saw the heart of His disciples, and gave them exactly what they needed. He comes to us too. I think about the times in my life where I have been fearful and remember the Holy Spirit coming to me and saying “Peace be with you” as I felt the calm return to my heart.

That is the word I want our hearts to meditate on this week leading up to Easter Sunday. Peace.

Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. We have new life, joy, and peace because of what Jesus Christ did for us. The risen Jesus allows the disciples to overcome their fear, and brings them joy. The same Jesus wants to do that for you. If you’re an unbeliever that needs peace for your soul, you can find that peace through salvation because of Christ’s resurrection.  If you’re an expecting mother that needs peace to raise your child in this fallen world, you can find that peace because Christ lives and is in control. If you’re just simply a born again Christian that finds your self in a difficult circumstance, trust that the same peace that was given to the disciples is also available to you!

Can we be peace filled this Easter when life seems so out of control? Yes, because Christ has Risen and we have been called to a mission. So hold to God’s peace, because the same God that empowered Jesus to accomplished his mission for our salvation is the same God that is sending you to accomplish the great commission through the Holy Spirit. That being said, invite someone to spend Easter with you at Coats Baptist Church this Sunday!

I pray that the peace of God fills you and your family this Easter in a fresh, new way!