THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

 

Acts 2:14, 22-32; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31

Introduction

"Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”" John 20:19 (ESV)

The concept of peace goes beyond the absence of conflict or trouble. Just like the Hebrew's concept, 'shalom' - wholeness, completeness, well-being, harmony, and security. In Jesus' words, 'shalom aleichem...', (peace be unto you) is as saying, be at peace. I have conquered. It is finished. You're secured. No more worries - 'Hakuna matata.' Notice this, "the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews" John 20:19 (ESV)

Today, Christ visits you in your closet, in your shut doors, He comes into the space you feel all alone and lonely to say, "Shalom aleikhem" He is not limited by walls, because He is alive (Acts 2:32).

In John's report, he make great emphasis on the importance of peace to the Christian faith being the first word from Christ to the disciples. "Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”" John 20:21 (ESV) This is John's account of the great commission. 

This is John saying, the concept of peace will carry us everywhere we go in fulfillment of the great commission even in a state of discomfort. Whether in want or in plenty, in receiving or in losing, our peace does not come from them but from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The peace of God can be likened to the joy of the Lord. It is built from within as fruit of the Spirit, "Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV) The Christian lives at peace even in the midst of worldly disturbances.

Restitution in God's Peace

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:22 (ESV)

John's account emphasizes "the first day of the week" which represents the beginning of new things. This is a throwback to Gen. 1:1 when God began creation. He uses the same language of breathing, "Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature." Genesis 2:7 (ESV)

Both the Greek and Hebrew words, 'Ruach' and 'pneuma' respectively are the same words used for breath and spirit. On the first day, God began to create new things and on this day of His resurrection in the new covenant, God is recreating. “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:5 (ESV) 

As God in Genesis breathed His image into man, so also in the new covenant, Jesus imparts God's image into His people by breathing on us. To restitute us to God, Christ gave us the breath of God which humanity lost in the garden of Eden.

Jesus breathes God's Spirit into the disciples and further gives them the Holy Spirit saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit". By this, He restored humanity to God's original purpose  - in God's image and likeness. It is the restoration of the dominion mandate, to control and order this chaotic and disturbing world in demonstration of healing and deliverance, preaching, teaching, and counseling to restore the hope of glory into the world and finally lead the world into eternal salvation. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead". 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Worldly Peace

Peace can be wrongly situated. Like we do today, we speak of successful peaceful people and we are looking for the number of cars, houses, and other assets. We are so material-focused when it comes to who has peace. Meanwhile, having everything at your beck and call does not guarantee peace. 

Note this, you can buy a house but you can't buy a home. You can buy a bed but you can't buy sleep, you can buy food but you can't buy appetite. Worldly assets may seem to bring peace but they rather add many sorrows if Jesus Christ is taken out of them.

Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Christ, the Saviour of this world comes to restore unto us the shalom of God which we lost to the devil through sin. He is the Prince of Peace.

Authority of Forgiveness of Sins

"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:23 (ESV)

Biblical scholars and theologians have battled on this statement which sometimes even disturbs the peace God gives us. This is the impact of our mission work of Christ. It is that which brings men into repentance and forgiveness and those who refuse to repent have their forgiveness withheld.

If we misinterpret this, we turn to pastors, priests, and bishops to pronounce the absolution of sins. But God still has that reserved authority.

Conclusion

"Shalom aleikhem", Peace be with you comes with the breath of God to give us newness in Him. It reminds us, as we greet one another, of Christ's complete work for us being restored into God's original plan for humanity. 

Receive the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, Amen! 

Shalom aleikhem...