Christ’s Gift of Peace (Part One) – Reflection by Keith Funk
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19 NAB)

To say the least, it had been a strange day. Picture the scene. On the Sunday following Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors in fear of those who put him to death. John gives us a picture of the disciples weighed down in paralysis and perplexity. One could rightly surmise that they were hardly in a peaceful place.

Into this time and atmosphere, Jesus comes with the words, “Peace be with you.” Days before, in the hours leading up to his arrest and death, Jesus had said to the disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). Now Jesus’ gift of peace was again given to the disciples in this post-resurrection appearance. After confirming himself to them through showing them the physical marks of his crucifixion and death, Jesus again spoke the words giving the gift, “Peace be with you”. With these words, he sends them as his Apostles (John 20:20-21).

The enormity of this gift! It is worth time and reflection over which to ponder. We do so from the story itself and what Jesus was giving to his disciples in his greeting of peace. It is my hope, we may also hear something that can speak to us today in our own time, space and activities. For the remainder of the article today, I will give attention to the meaning of Jesus’ words as the gift of peace spoken to his disciples in the immediate context of the story. Next week I’ll focus on this gift of peace and its meaning as it is given to us in the life we live with him.

Our Lord’s gift of peace was given to the disciples through his presence. Beset by fear, overwhelmed by loss and grief, we can well recognize the disciple’s lives had become dislodged and uncertain as Jesus was no longer with them. Jesus comes to them with the gift of peace as he was alive and present with them. Jesus’ peace comes where he is present.

Our Lord’s gift of peace was given to the disciples as a present tense gift. His words did not just hearken to the past, nor did they point them exclusively to the future. Of course, Jesus’ gift of peace has both a past and future reference. But Jesus’ gift of peace was given to them in the immediacy of the moment. Jesus’ peace is immediately available.

Our Lord’s gift of peace was given to the disciples as rooted in the reality of his resurrection. In his resurrection, Jesus prevailed over death itself. Where death reigns peace is illusory at best, but ultimately neither assured, nor lasting. Jesus’ peace is established through his victory over death through his resurrection. 

Our Lord’s gift of peace was given to the disciples for what was ahead for them. The lives of the disciples were redefined in the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This was the reality under which they would live and to which they would give witness by the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). Here Jesus sends his disciples as “Apostles” (meaning those who are sent) into a dismissive, skeptical, and antagonistic world fraught with rejection and danger. Yet his peace would ever be with them.

Until next week, take time to reflect on Jesus’ words--his gift of peace to his disciples. Do so knowing that not only was Jesus gifting his disciples then, but gifts us now with his peace. Stay tuned.