When therefore it was evening on that day, which was the first day of the week, and the doors shut where the disciples were, through fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and says to them, “Peace be to you.” John 20:19 (DBY) [Also read Mt. 26:75; Mk. 14:72; Lu. 22:61-62; and Jn. 20:1-9]
Peter stumbled blindly through the night weeping uncontrollably. What could he do? Where could he go? He had done what he swore he would never do. Why had he denied his association with the Lord? What had happened to him? The Lord’s disappointed face was all he could see. He needed someone to console his desperate soul.
As his denial thundered in his ears, he knocked hopefully at John’s door. They talked until after daybreak. Then someone knocked at the gate and called out to be let in. Mary of Magdala brought unbelievable news. Peter began running to the tomb, but John was younger and got there first. When Peter saw the empty tomb, he knew everything would be alright. That evening, however, as the others assembled and discussed the day’s event, Peter sat silently wondering if he would ever be acceptable to the Lord again. Jesus answered that question when he walked through the door and said to them, “Peace to you.”
The question is not how much have we failed, but rather how desperate are we for peace and fellowship with God. Jesus still brings peace to desperate lives . . . yours and mine.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace, mercy, and peace. Thank you for restoring our desperate lives. O Lord, there are still many desperate individuals who have not yet found your peace. Supply your grace and enable us to reach out to them. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his supply of peace and live to share it with others,