WATCHWORD:
19 That Sunday evening[a] the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were stead-fast and filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:19-21
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippines 4:7
Meditation:
Peace Be With You
“Peace be with you” appears in the Bible multiple times, spoken by angels and prophets, beginning with Genesis when a servant resolves fear between Joseph and his brothers. That phrase becomes Jesus’ own watchword, spoken multiple times after He had defeated death. Now had come the time to reveal himself to his closest friends.
It was Easter, and the disciples were distraught. They had seen Jesus’ arrest, and one of their number, John, had witnessed the death of their Master on the cross. They were lost in their own weakness and lack of faith. Now, in fear of the Romans, they had gathered to consider what to do next.
From our vantage point, this side of the Resurrection, we can understand a little their feelings of loss of their friend and fear of the Romans that dominated. We know that “Sunday is coming”, we have a good idea what’s next.
However, let us not miss the point of Jesus’ watchword spoken to ALL disciples. His “Peace be with you” was not just for those in that upper room, or on the beach, it was for us, now, in these lives we are living, today. How often have we heard that, in scripture readings, homilies, sermons, etc. Do we treat it like a nice platitude, a neat saying, and we smile and say, “Peace, back atcha.” Look around you. Look within you. Do you need a sliver of peace?
There’s an old song that says, “if we ever needed the Lord before, we sure do need him now.” I think the same thing can be said of the peace of God. As you see in the verses above, Jesus greeted his disciples with the phrase ‘Peace be with you.’ What was the reason? ‘Peace be with you’ was far more than just a platitude or casual greeting. It was necessary for the disciples in that moment, and for us in our current moments, to know that peace is available through Him.
Look at the second and third reading. This is not worldly peace that our Lord is giving us, it is a peace that passes understanding. It is a peace that goes beyond our simple understanding of that word and meaning. It is peace of mind and heart that calms and settles our very soul. This is the peace that endures. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
The many versions of a simple Austrian prayer, USA adopted —
Come Lord Jesus be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed. Like manna in the desert given, the Bread of life, sent down from Heaven. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus be our Guest, Our morning joy, our evening rest, And with our daily bread impart, Your love and peace to every heart. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest, may this food by You be blest, May our souls by You be fed, Ever on the Living Bread. Amen.
Come Lord Jesus be our Guest; and let these gifts to us be blest. And may there be a goodly share; On every table, everywhere.
