Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Exodus 12:1-14
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
April 4, 2010

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." - John 20:19-23

The Savior speaks just one word and the pain, excessive sorrow, the bitterness, the humiliation is all swept away - in just one powerful word – Peace! This one word from Christ calms the heart, removes all doubt, and drives away fear. The Peace of Christ can not be manufactured, is found nowhere in this world. It is impossible to describe but is experienced by those whose lives have been shaped by Him. Once you have it your life is forever changed, in an instant like those fearful disciples who were the first to experience it in that little room, with the doors barred and shut, in fear of the authorities, uncertain of tomorrow. Today we remember – we are Easter people. Today we proclaim “Christ is Risen He is Risen Indeed!” and we face the future with this new reality – Peace!

Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.
Collect for Easter Sunday Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House St. Louis
Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.