“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you’ (John 20:26, ESV).”

Jesus’ appearances to the disciples are completely contrary to how we would respond. There is no anger towards those who abandoned Him. There is no denial of Peter after his denial. There is no condemnation for their slowness to believe. There is no dismissal of Thomas for demanding proof. There is only peace.

At the seashore, on the Emmaus Road, and in the room behind locked doors, Jesus comes to bring peace to those who doubt and those who deny. He brings the peace of sins forgiven, which could only be accomplished by His death, and the hope of eternal life, which could only be accomplished by His resurrection.

The celebration of Easter is not confined to a single Sunday, nor is it limited to a season of the Church Year. We celebrate the fact that our Lord Jesus continues to come to us—frail sinners that we are—as He did Thomas, Peter, and the Emmaus disciples. And He still speaks to us a word of peace.

It does not matter what sins we have committed. It does not matter how long we have strayed. As He did with those closest to Him, our Lord continues to lovingly and patiently restore us by His grace.

May we share that same peace of Christ with those who come to our services for the first time, and with those who have been absent for a long time. How truly blessed we all are that Jesus gently restores us in repentance and faith, so that His peace may be with us always!

Prayer - Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.