Encouragement Page
10 April 2005

In the same evening of our Lord’s resurrection, the disciples shut themselves up in the room for fear of the Jews (Jn 20:19). They were most probably in the same room where our Lord had the last supper with them three days before. During this short period of three days, many events took place. They had finished their last supper, after which, our Lord was betrayed, arrested, judged, crucified, died and buried. Then some women among them said that He had risen, and that they had seen Him! What will happen to the disciples then? They were naturally worried and confused. There was no peace in their hearts and they needed this peace badly. Suddenly, the Lord stood in the midst of them and greeted them with these words: "Peace be unto you". What a comfort this was to them! These were the very first words our Lord spoke to them after His resurrection. Our Lord’s very first words to the people at the beginning of His ministry on earth, were: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt 4:17). Now that He has finished His work of redemption, all that we sinners need to do is to repent and we will receive the same peace which He had given to the disciples. What kind of peace is this?

Peace in our hearts. Before we were saved, our lives were full of worries and fear. There was no peace in our hearts. In this world, we cannot have peace because of our sins. However, as believers, we have peace in the Lord who said: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (Jn 14:27). If we have trusted in the Lord, not only were our sins forgiven, we also have peace to overcome this world of troubles, as He had said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). Our Lord is the risen Saviour in whom we can have peace. The world cannot give us this kind of peace. Are you a believer? If yes, you too would have peace in your heart.

Peace of comfort and assurance of salvation. "And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord" (Jn 20:20). After the Lord’s crucifixion, the disciples were very sad, especially Peter, who had denied the Lord three times. Now that they have seen Him and seen the scars in His hands and His side they were comforted because they knew that this was the Lord who had died for them and had risen from the dead. Their hearts were then at peace. Those scars were the marks of the passion of Christ, by which our peace was obtained, as the prophet Isaiah said: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isa 53:5). Today, we have this assurance of salvation because He bore our sins on the cross. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom 3:23–24). He who believes shall not perish but shall have everlasting life. This is the real peace. Dear friends, do you have this peace? Come and put your trust in Jesus.

Peace with God. When we were yet carnal, we were alienated from God. But now, through the blood of Christ we are reconciled with God. "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself" (Col 1:20). Our Lord offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins so that we can be reconciled and have peace with God. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb 9:12). Therefore the resurrection of Christ gives us everlasting peace. The question is: "Have you reconciled with God through the blood of Jesus?" If not, why don’t you come to Him today?

"As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (Jn 20:21). The peace from our Lord Jesus Christ is not for the disciples only. It is for everyone who believes in Him. Therefore, our Lord sent His disciples to "go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk 16:15) so that everyone who believes in Him shall be saved and shall have everlasting life. It is now our turn to preach the gospel to the people around us, so that they too can have the peace of God and everlasting life. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom 10:15).

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