Peace or Fear

“Peace be with you.”  Both Luke and John record these as Jesus’ first words to the disciples after the resurrection.  (Click here for the passage from John.)  It’s easy to picture the disciples agitated and anxious, and Jesus telling them to be at peace.

But there is much more.  Jesus is not just telling the disciples to “calm down.”  The language is really a broad assurance that all is well at every level.  “We’re all good!” might be a better colloquial equivalent.

Behind their sadness at Jesus’ crucifixion, their fear that they might be next, and their confusion about the reports of the empty tomb lurked the reality that virtually all of them had abandoned Jesus in some way.  Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial are infamous, but all were hiding out in fear and it appears that John alone was willing to be present at the crucifixion.  Unsurprisingly, the women fared better.  But I have no doubt that they felt defeated by their own fear and failure.

Jesus assured them that they are not rejected!  And more than not rejected, there is no awkward conversation to be had.  Jesus’ love and understanding bridges even that betrayal and abandonment and all truly is well.

Do you worry about your own failures in faith?  Do you wonder if God still welcomes you after ‘that’?  Jesus’ appearance to the disciples is a resounding affirmation that all is well, indeed — for them and for us!

Our invitation is to walk in Easter faith, in confidence that Jesus has indeed restored us to the father and we need not fear!

This column appeared in the April 16, 2023 edition of St. John’s eNews. Click here for the complete issue.

If you are reading this at a different time, you may click here for the current eNews.