MANNA: Peace Be With You

Peace Be With You

John 20:19-23

When I was a younger man I enjoyed horror movies.   Looking back now, I really don't know why.  Maybe it was just the thrill of testing my courage.  The horror movies of my day have since been categorized as their own genre known as slasher films.   It didn't really matter which one you watched, the basic premise was the same for all of them.   Some poor soul was cruelly and unjustly put to death, and now the "ghost" of the victim is out for revenge.  Jason Vorhees (Friday the 13th) and Michael Myers (Halloween) were characters that became household names for their creative ways of "slashing" innocent bystanders as they sought revenge on anyone for what had been done to them.

When you think about it, that scenario is almost the same as that of Jesus.  Was he not cruelly and unjustly put to death on a cross?   Was he not betrayed just like Michael Myers?  Didn't his closest friend deny he had ever met him, just like Jason Vorhees?

There's one BIG difference, obviously.

Jesus didn't come back from the grave seeking revenge.  He came back offering forgiveness. 

It's no wonder Jesus had to say it to his disciples three times for them to believe it.

"Peace be with you." 

"Peace be with you." 

"Peace be with you." 

Jesus is not out for revenge. He gave himself willingly, in love.  

There is too much revenge seeking in our culture.  It has become the norm to go after those who have done us wrong and give them what we believe they deserve.  We have become a people who are filled with anger, not peace.  Subconsciously, we go through our days seeking moments in which we feel justified in venting it out in little doses on the people around us.   This is the devil's work, and it perpetuates our own sinfulness.  It's unhealthy, and certainly not peaceful. 

But, can it be true?  

Jesus comes back from the grave not to condemn us, not to remind us of our failures, not to exact revenge, but he comes with words of peace.   

Yes, our crucified and risen Lord comes to us to breathe on us the Spirit of forgiveness and peace.  

Even now, while our nostrils are still flaring in anger, 

while our motives are still seething with hostility, 

and while our thoughts are still scheming for revenge,

He comes to us with a promise of peace in the fresh air of forgiveness.  

Prayer

Breathe on me the fresh air of forgiveness, O Lord.  Help me to inhale slowly and deeply, that I may offer forgiveness and peace to others.  Amen

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