John 20:19-23
“Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jewish leaders, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus
repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he
said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?””
A mother tearfully hands over her infant for surgery. The nurses let her carry the child to the operating room, the baby fussing because of hunger, and no doubt because of the worries of the mom. As she gives the baby to the operating room nurse, the mother feels God comforting her, “I’ve cared for you, and I will care for your child.”
The Bible passage picks up when the disciples discovered that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb – so where was he? They locked themselves in a room for protection. There must have been so much fear and perhaps doubt about Jesus. And then, suddenly Jesus appears ALIVE and stands among them – what does he do first?
He greets them with the message of PEACE TO YOU. This was (and is) a traditional greeting and a blessing. But to hear that phrase at this moment must have been truly a blessing, coupled with a joyous sense of wonder and surprise - awestruck!
So Jesus had to repeat his greeting, maybe to bring them out of their daze. It must have been amazing for Jesus to then give them the gift of the Holy Spirit, directly from his own recently resurrected body. This bodily resurrected appearance of Jesus to them was just the beginning of the next 40 days. What a wild ride for them with the Incarnate God!
These verses remind me of a time when I was surprised by Jesus and his gift of peace because the mom in the story was me.
Where in your life is there turmoil, sadness, unbelief, or chaos that you could ask Jesus to bless you with Shalom, His peace that surpasses understanding?
Who in your life needs your forgiveness?
How have you been surprised by Jesus showing up unexpectedly?