There are many things that can cause anxiety and fear:  the economy, raising teenagers, violence, terrorism.  All of these things raise concerns for us as we live our lives in this fallen world.

In John 20:19-20 we see that the disciples were afraid and hiding. Their leader had just been crucified and placed in a tomb, and they believed that they would suffer the same fate. So they hid behind locked doors. 

Now a resurrected Jesus appears and what would you think Jesus would tell them considering the circumstances?  Would he say, “Buck up, everything’s going to be okay”;  Would he say, “March against Caesar, he’s the real problem in this world”;

Would he say, “Hang out, smile, and be quiet, and all your troubles will eventually go away”?

Well, the Bible tells us that Jesus gave them these words of encouragement. 

First of all he said, “Peace be with you.”

There are two kinds of peace:  there is a peace with God and there is the peace of God. We need both. The peace we have with God comes through our relationship with Christ.  Romans 5:1 tells us, “ therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Meaning that, upon receiving Christ, the conflict between a sinner and the Lord is over.

Now the peace we have from God is the internal sense of calm and serenity because we know the Lord of peace. The Bible tells us that there is a peace that is beyond all understanding (Philippians 4:7).  I have experienced this on numerous occasions. When we learn to totally trust in the sovereign hand of God, we realize that external circumstances are God’s problems, not ours. For peace is not the absence of trouble but the assurance that God is there.

I can’t  completely explain it.  The only way to know it is to experience it.

Secondly, Jesus said, “As the father has sent me, I am sending you.”

The believer’s commission never changes. We are to share the good news of Jesus. Our solution for eternity is not in a new president or a stronger military or having a secure job.  It is knowing Jesus.  No matter how ugly the world gets, no matter who controls the White House, no matter how bad the economy gets, people will always need Jesus.  Without Christ people will be eternally separated from God.  The economy, or criticism, or death or hell can’t separate a believer from the Love of God.

Thirdly,  Jesus said,  “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

God has given us something greater than ourselves to get us through anything we have thrown at us.  The Holy Spirit is vital to Christian living. It is like the gas in the car, and we are to live in the power of the Spirit.  To be filled with the Holy Spirit is a command and not an option.  To try to get through all this world throws at us without God’s power is like trying to live without food and water. I believe we should pray every day for a fresh filling of the Spirit of God.

Lastly, Jesus said, “If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”  

Now, the disciples could not remove the sins of others.  They didn’t die on the cross. Only Jesus can take away sins by the shedding of His blood.  But Jesus does give us the authority to stand and say that those who place their faith in Christ are forgiven, and those who reject Christ are not forgiven. 

We can say this because we stand on the authority of a resurrected Lord and his own personal words to us to declare that salvation is found only in the Son of God. 

I am so thankful God loves us enough to send his Son to die for us. I am so thankful that there is nothing that can separate one of his children from his love.

Victorious living is not the absence of problems, but simply doing the will of the Son.

Bryan Eason, Pastor

First Baptist Church of Kennedale

bryaneason@sbcglobal.net

fbckennedale.org