APR 4 - Peace Be With You

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20: 24-29 NIV

Jesus knows a lot of things, and he’s listening even when we make public declarations of our doubt.

Thomas walked with Jesus for years, and like Peter he doubted the return of Jesus. His doubt was different, he wanted to see it in order to believe it.

How many times have been so upset by:

  • Unanswered prayers

  • Praying for a miracle and it didn’t happen

  • Frustrations within the church

  • Unmet expectations with our friends/family

We get so upset that we hold God accountable, and say things like, “I will not believe.“

I’m done.

Thomas was just like that, he was done with Jesus. He felt betrayed, lied to, he was mad.

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them

Jesus was walking through locked doors like Vision in Avengers. But Thomas was so mad, he didn’t pay attention to that. The first thing Jesus says is -

“Peace be with you!”

Why? They were all mad at him. So he walks in and says, “Guys, let’s calm down, be at peace.“

He doesn’t meet you in your anger with more anger.

He meets you in your anger with peace.

Even when we fail him, he’s ready to forgive.

Even when we’re falling apart, he’s ready to restore us.

Peace be with you.

  1. Do you need God’s peace?

  2. Are you upset at him for any reason?

  3. Is there something you need to pray about?