On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. [John 20:19-20]
Last week we celebrated the miracle of miracles. We returned to the gravesite of our Lord and looked into the empty tomb. The miracle of miracles happened early in the morning. The empty tomb was discovered in the morning.
In the resurrection, the cross, which is a symbol of suffering and shame, was exchanged for the crown of victory. It was on Sunday morning that death lost its sting and the grave was robbed of victory. However, by Sunday evening all the joy and happiness of the empty tomb had waned. In fear, despair and, disappointment, the disciples locked themselves behind closed doors.
When trouble comes our way, we often find ourselves in the same predicament as the disciples. In fear of the outcome, we hide behind the locked doors or our disappointment, disillusionment, fears and despair.
Often when sickness shows up or when our children decide to walk a wayward path or when we experience domestic setbacks, or the loss of a loved one, life for us becomes a battlefield. During such experiences, we tend to believe that we are all alone and that there is no one to rescue us.
We just see a highway of boulders and obstacles. Even though we do, in such times, we don't need to despair. We have a savior who is Christ the Lord. He is the first born from the dead. He is with us and will always be with us.
As Christians, it does not matter how much trouble we see in this life, we still have the gift of peace. Jesus gave this peace when he appeared to the frightened disciples locked away from the authorities on that special evening of the resurrection. Our Lord stepped right through the locked door of despair, disappointment, and disillusionment, and said, "shalom" (peace) "peace be with you".
That peace which he gave that evening is a peace that surpasses all human understanding. That is a peace that the governments of the world cannot give.
When we think of peace, we think of the absence of hostility. The peace Jesus brings is not necessarily the absence of hostility. The peace that Jesus brings when the evening clouds of fear hang over our heads is the power, the strength, to live in the midst of hostility.
Jesus, the prince of peace, comes to give us peace and hope. Therefore, when things become cloudy, when you feel like you are alone in the world, and your life is going nowhere, when troubles seem to overwhelm you, when you are troubled and cannot find a way out of your dilemma take heart. Jesus comes in the evening, showing us the nail prints in his hands and the pierced hole in his side, saying, "shalom".
He comes to comfort us with his presence. When the evening comes, Jesus' presence calms our fears, soothes our doubts and wipes away all our tears.
The Lord continues to grant us his blessings of forgiveness, life and salvation. They come to us in our baptism. They come to us because we confess that we are truly unworthy of them. God's intervention and activity in our life comes to us today through simple means -- water, bread, wine and his word. Even in our fears, God's gracious gift brings us peace. Amen.
o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone 323-4107 or email: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.
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