"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus cam and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
John 20:19 (NIV)
Our Lord's first words to His disciples - and what blessed words they are - our greatest need is peace with our Creator God! John had recorded in chapter 14 that Jesus had said to them, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Yet here are the disciples, huddled in hiding with the door locked because of fear. Jesus said "Peace be with you" to this group of men, and then when He appeared again to Thomas He said exactly the same thing. In both cases, He showed them His wounds, for His sacrifice is what our peace with God is based on. He also gave them the Holy Spirit for it is through the presence of the Spirit of God in us, that peace comes to us.
Thomas was challenged to believe after seeing the Lord, and a blessing was promised to all of us who believe without seeing. May we be blessed this day as we, by faith, believe that we have peace with God through the sacrifice and resurrection of His one and only Son.
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