:: in.a.mirror.dimly ::

Having meditated on the passion narrative and the final words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels last week, I’d like to take a look at what Jesus left us before he ascended to heaven. I am always blown away when I think that Jesus never left a written account of his teachings.

Perhaps that’s because I’m a writer. Or maybe it’s because I’m a Western guy with little experience among oral cultures that thrive on preserving their stories. However, based on the Gospels, it seems that Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. If he didn’t leave behind a written account, what did he leave us? We’ll begin today with the first of three things: peace.

Events That Were Anything But Peaceful

After the disciples endured a few of the darkest moments of their lives, they received a report that the Messiah whom they’d left everything for and then abandoned in his final hours, had risen to life. They were hiding in a locked room, fearful that the Jewish leaders would come after them next.

They had failed Jesus, and they were at the mercy of the Jewish and Roman leaders. Who could they turn to? They had no other options. They were stuck, and so they hid behind locked doors in fear.

Peace Be With You

When Jesus arrived, the first thing he said was, “Peace be with you.” This reminds me of his words in John 16:33. After telling them about his death and their desertion, Jesus told his disciples that they would have trouble in this world, but that in him they would find peace.

In other words, it’s the normal state of things to find trouble in this world, and so the only recourse of disciples is to find peace in Jesus.

In this moment that began with this proclamation of peace, there is so much happening. In one sense, Jesus is restoring and forgiving his disciples. They now have fellowship with him.

However, Jesus is also recentering their lives around him. After watching their world fall apart, Jesus came to bring them peace. This peace did not stop the Jewish leaders from desiring to kill them. In fact, James the brother of John would be killed not too long after this, as recorded in Acts.

Their outward circumstances changed very little, but with the presence of Jesus came peace. Sometimes God may change our circumstances and deliver us from trouble.

However, our primary lesson in this life is that his presence is enough. We can be with him and experience the peace that he has left us. Until we are convinced that having him and his peace are enough, we will never be satisfied by any changes in our circumstances.

As it write this, I know that I need these words just as much as anyone else…