Monday, April 20

Peace be with you

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. John 20:19-20

Everyone has their own story of “stay home, work safe.” If someone is sick, the story can be dramatic. If a family is experiencing restlessness due to the unrelieved physical energy of children, the story may be ever changing. If someone is alone in their residence the story may feel lonesome. Into these, and the many variations of our isolating circumstances, God is working through his word to bless you. 
The specific word of God for you today is from Jesus himself. 
“Peace be with you.” 

Jesus spoke those words to his followers who were in isolation. 
The disciples “were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews.” Their fear originally may have been based on the crucifixion of Jesus. If the Jewish authorities could manipulate the Roman system so that Jesus was executed, what might those authorities do to the followers of Jesus? Now, on this Sunday evening, the fear may have been compounded by the reports of Jesus’s resurrection. Would those authorities hunt down the disciples and accuse them of stealing the body of Jesus? The disciples were afraid. Thus, they hid behind locked doors. Then Jesus appeared and he spoke: “Peace be with you.” 

Those same words of Jesus, “peace be with you” are for you and me today. In our places of isolation and uncertainty, Jesus shows up (through His Word) and he speaks peace. The words of peace which he spoke on that first Easter take a deeper meaning when we remember that Jesus also said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. 
Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  (John 14:27)


  1. Be still.
  2. As you slowly breathe, align these words to the rhythm of your breath: “peace be with you.”
  3. As you silently repeat this prayer, know that these words are from your savior, Jesus Christ.