Luke 24:36
We always live with some kind of fear. The
fear of life, threats from terrorists, fear of natural calamities, fear of death, etc. (Yet it’s an irony that the fear that we ought to have ‘God fear’, we
don’t have at all.) Often we Christians also live under some kind of fear. But
there is one thing that Christ has guaranteed us through his death on the cross
of Calvary .
Let’s turn to Luke 24:36 – “Peace be unto
you.” This incident happened while they were discussing the glorious
appearance of saviour. Then Jesus himself stood among them and said “Peace be
unto you”.
It is true that these words, “Peace be unto you!” was the ordinary
Jewish salutation. But, on this occasion, spoken by the Lord, possessed more
than the ordinary meaning. Looking from the apostle’s perspective, their mind had
passed through the deepest distress. They had lost their Lord and their
Friend; and with him, they had lost, as they thought, their cause and their
hopes; they were, therefore, afflicted with overwhelming grief. And now they
were filled with the liveliest agitation. They were in a mental state in
which blighted hopes were struggling with darkest fears; their soul was stirred
to its very depths; and what, above all things, they needed was One that could
come and say, “Peace be unto you!” It was the very word that was wanted to be
breathed into their ear, to be spoken to their heart. At this moment, Jesus is
saying to them “Peace be unto you.” Definitely, it possessed more meaning and
depth rather than mere Jewish salutation.
When we remember our savior, let’s also remember the peace that he
has guaranteed through his death.
“Come unto me,” he said,” and I will give you
rest.” Not as the world gives rest or peace does he give. And we know from our
experience it's not
(1) Not mere comfort or gratification that is very short-lived;
(2) Nor satisfaction that is based on ignorance of ourselves,
and must before long be exposed;
(3) Nor the quiet of indifference or unbelief that must soon be
broken up.
Not of this order is the peace of Christ. It is:
1. Rest
to the burdened conscience. lie shows us our sin and makes us
ashamed of it; he fills our heart with a true and righteous sorrow
for it; he awakes within us a just and honorable concern for the consequences
of it.
And then he offers himself as the One who bore the burden upon
himself, through whom we may find forgiveness and acceptance. And “being justified
by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2.
Abiding gladness to the hungering heart. “In the world” is unsatisfiedness of soul, emptiness, and heartache;
a sense of disappointment. But in him is true and lasting satisfaction. “How
happily the days in his blest service fly!” To live heartily and wholly unto
him who loved us and gave himself for us, to expend our powers in his praise
and in his service, — this is the secret of lifelong peace. All the lower
springs will fail, but this never. To “lose our life” unto him is to
“find it” and to keep it forever.
3. Comfort
to the troubled spirit. When darkness falls upon the path when losses
come, when bereavement makes a gap in the home and in the heart when some
heavy disappointment blights the prospect, — then the felt presence, the
realized sympathy, and the unfailing succor of that Divine friend give a peace
which is deeper than our disturbance, a thrice-blessed calm to the
tempest-tossed soul.
4. Peace
in death. For many centuries the dying have departed in peace because
they have hoped for everything through the Divine Saviour; they have calmly
“slept in Jesus;” and those who now look forward to death as a passage through
which they will be passing can find no better wish or prayer than that “the
music of his Name” may “refresh their soul in death.”
Conclusion
To give us this abiding,
unceasing peace, our savior has to go through many peace fewer hours and
nights. Let us remember his sufferings and thank God for the peace that we
enjoy because of his death.
