Calming Troubled Hearts: Easter Exchange 3: Jesus & the Terrified 10

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).
In the morning, Mary’s beside herself. She’s convinced Jesus’ body has fallen prey to grave robbers. No more hope for a peaceful resting place…
In the afternoon, the Emmaus disciples are hopeless and despairing. The one they’d been hoping was “the one” died two days ago…
In the evening of Easter Sunday, ten disciples (the Twelve sans Judas and Thomas) are huddled in an upper room and their terror has circled right back to themselves. They are afraid “of the Jews.” It’s dawned on them that the fury that drove the mob to kill Jesus two days ago may also rekindle itself upon them – Jesus’ known followers and friends.
What kind of solace and assurance does Resurrected Jesus bring to these terrified 10? Does He swallow up that angry mob in a Red Sea-like miracle? Does He give them Magnificent 7 superpowers to defend themselves against a potentially life-threatening mob? What does He give them for comfort and security?
He gives them Himself – His presence with them. “Peace BE with you,” Jesus calmly declares. From anyone else, this would resound as an unhelpful platitude – an easy way to dismiss an urgent situation. But this, THIS is the One crucified and now alive from the dead – just as He announced days earlier. His words aren’t merely good ideas or helpful encouragement. His words achieve the very thing they announce. Jesus’ words do the work they declare.
Peace IS with the terrified 10, just as Jesus announced. The angels said as much to the unsuspecting shepherds in the field. The Son of God born in human flesh is “Peace on earth – (God’s) good will toward men” (Luke 2:11).
Sentimental songs of humanity opine for “peace on earth,” but then look inside “me” for that peace to “begin.” That well-meaning sentimentality delivers nothing but hopelessness. It is deaf to the declaration of John the Baptist as he says, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Sin – our evil doings and our deafness to God’s doings for us – SIN is the absence of peace that plagues our moments and our days and the days of all those around us, too. So, however and wherever God is “taking sin away,” THAT is peace. Dear Christians, Jesus being present with His sin-and-death laden people, that is the “how” of Peace.
What about the “where?” Where is Jesus “being present” for us – for our peace? The Lord’s Supper and its liturgy take our noses right to a most obvious reality of Jesus’ presence.
Jesus’ instituting words declare that He IS the sacrament: His body under bread and His blood under the wine. And that He is present there “for the remission (the taking away) of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28). So we, the gathered Christians, address the present Jesus: “O Christ, Lamb of God, YOU take away the sins of the world.” And we pray for the benefit of present Jesus – sins taken away – to fall upon us: “Grant us Your peace” (The Agnus Dei).
And then what happens? Jesus – THE REAL AND PRESENT JESUS – is present for you. “Take and eat – Take and drink – the forgiveness of your sins” (distribution liturgy). Finally, the Lord, through the mouth of the servant He’s given you, assures you that you have what He, the Lord, has most certainly given to you: “The body of our Lord Jesus Christ and His precious blood to strengthen and preserve you… Depart IN PEACE.”
Peace BE with you, indeed!
Reverend Kyle Madson
Editor, The Lutheran Sentinel
Norseland Lutheran Church
St. Peter, MN
Norwegian Grove Lutheran Church
Gaylord, MN