Thursday, August 24, 2023

Peace

^{So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  John 20:21}

There is a little town close to where I love and about 2 times a week there are people standing on the busiest intersection yelling at people as they drive by.  It is pretty disturbing to me that they are trying to convey the love that God has for people in their fallen state by yelling at the cars going by that they are going to hell.  The message is 100% not inviting nor is it a good representation of how much God wants to rescue all people.  The only people I see them talking to in a normal tone is each other.  I will almost guarantee you that none of them really want to be there, but feel an obligation to get the message out in some way, so this is their route they take.   Sadly, these are our fellow workers, but instead of getting the plan from God, they just go out and check it off their list each week.

In today’s reading, Jesus visits His disciples after raising up from the dead.  He comes to them behind close doors right where they are.  His message is not one of “tell the world they are going to hell if they don’t stop sinning.” But rather He brings word of the peace He has purchased between God and man.  It is the same story that the angels told the night Jesus was born.  They said: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will to men.  This message was not from angels but from God!

This is the same message we are to share today.  Oh, we can go to the nearest street corner and yell at the passing traffic that God sent peace into the world through His Son Jesus.  But I think a more effective way to spread His Word is in a peaceful way like Jesus brought it to His disciples.  A message of peace I bring you from my Father in heaven.  He paid the price and penalty of sin with the blood of His then only Son Jesus, so that all people could know His unconditional love and experience God’s best for them in their everyday life.  That’s what He wants for you and that’s what He wants you to tell others.

Today I want to encourage you to share the love of God wherever you are.  You don’t have to yell at people to get their attention or tell them bad news of the direction they are heading.  Instead give them hope for a brighter future by changing their direction and head toward God and His plan for their life. He wants to save all people and He gave us a part to help in that work.  Share His peace plan with the world around you each day and your results will be much better than the yellers, I promise.

Today’s scripture reading: John 20:19-23

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 

20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”