John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
The disciples have heard the tomb was empty. They had more than one evidenced account of it. You have to wonder what their discussions were concerning this. Was He taken? Has He risen? Was He alive? Each of them had to have these and other questions running through their minds. I imagine some of them had thoughts of shame and guilt and cowardliness and fear. The doors were shut and they were fearful of the Jews. They knew Jesus was not in the tomb and more than likely Jewish leaders would blame them and come for them. Maybe the same thing that happened to Jesus would happen to them. Imagine all of the thoughts they could have had running through their minds. Surely, after their desertion of Jesus on the day of His crucifixion, the disciples probably expected words of rebuke or blame. Instead, Jesus brought a word of peace, reconciling peace. Jesus stands with them. He just appears. He was not there and now He is on the inside with them while the doors were shut. He did not knock and ask to come in. He did not say, “let me in”. He came and stood in the midst and He spoke a blessing and forgiving words, “Peace be with you.” I am sure they remembered what Jesus told them the night He was betrayed, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. You heard Me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.”
The harmony of God’s Word will grow our faith, trust, reliance, obedience, and love in and for Him.
