I well remember my first horror movie. A group of my older
friends were gathering to watch something that we kind of knew was “off
limits,” so naturally, I was all eager to join them. When the movie came on, I
didn’t know what an “exorcist” was, but I quickly learned—at least what
Hollywood’s version was like. Thus began an unexplainable interest in horror
movies, which mercifully passed in a couple of years. Egads!
Of course, it is hard to find a good horror movie these days
that doesn’t feature a good ole’ zombie or two. The whole idea of something
that has died and then returned to life is beyond freaky. First off, we have a terrible
fear of dying to begin with, then the image of the decaying body walking around
again—ugh! Now, the thought that zombie-fear would be a modern phenomenon is
crazy; people of every age knew that dead is dead, and the un-dead is just… wrong,
so very wrong.
So, we shouldn’t minimize the fear and dread that
overwhelmed the disciples upon their first encounter with the risen Lord Jesus.
We are told in John 20:19 that Jesus’ followers were hiding out “for fear of
the Jews,” who had just crucified their leader. And then, miraculously, Jesus
stands among them! Talk about ratcheting up the horror level! The resurrection
of Christ is such a fundamental aspect of our faith that many who are
well-versed in the story may easily forget how freaky a resurrection really is.
The disciples had as much an aversion to seeing dead bodies walking around as
we do today. The horror and dismay which would have gripped the disciples would
have been overpowering. Small wonder, then, that Jesus’ first words to them
would be, “Peace be with you.”
Of course, the difference between Jesus’ resurrection and a
zombie-infestation is massive. While part of the “terror-appeal” of a zombie is
that they might share their deadness with you, Jesus’ resurrection was a
victorious one over death itself. Jesus did not come back to life in some
deformed fashion, but perfected in His humanity, the glorified Man. Of course,
that very glory would undoubtedly add to the disciples’ fright—holiness always
brings terror to those trapped in sin. Again, Jesus’ response? “Peace be with
you.”
Think for a bit on the saying here: “Peace:” not simply the
absence of strife, but the quality, sense, and possession of completeness; that
you are totally in the center of God’s will, grace, and love. “Be with:” that
that peace resides, that it comes upon you, that it stays, that it marks the
quality of your life, now and into the future. “You:” God’s direction and
interest is not random, it is not generic, it is not common. God’s peace is for
you, yes, YOU. The work of Christ in
redemption—His birth, life, death and resurrection—is so all-encompassing, that
it would be easy to think of our own portion as a small, insignificant cog. But,
not so! God’s peace, purchased with the life-blood of our Savior, is for you. He truly had you in mind as He was
dying on the cross, and having been raised to life, He offers you His peace.
In every situation, in every circumstance, in every trauma,
sorrow and frustration, Jesus’ word to you remains, “Peace be with you.”
In our preparation for worship this week, please read John
20:19-29.
- vs. 19: Why would the disciples be in fear of the Jews?
- vs. 20: Why would Jesus show them his hands and side? What is he concerned about?
- vs. 21: What is the connection between God’s peace and God’s sending? Pretty amazing, no?
- vs. 22: “breath” is another word for “spirit”, so when Jesus “breaths” on His disciples, what picture is He trying to communicate?
- vs. 25: How do you explain Thomas’ words here? Why is he being so stubborn?
- vs. 26: Why the “eight days?” What is significant of this passage of time?
- vs. 27: When Jesus says, “do not disbelieve,” what is He saying about disbelief?
