Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Jn 20:21

Past troubles and fears can bind and suppress us from moving forward. Especially when it concerns our livelihood, health, and wellbeing. The scripture passage is a reminder to us that Jesus is aware and empathetic to our cares and concerns as He sends us out with the message of the gospel. He is well-aware of the power that fear can play in one’s faith. Jesus’ first words to the disciples were “Peace be with you!” The disciples had locked themselves in a room “for fear of the Jews” (vs. 19) and Jesus entered the room even though no one had let Him in. Before going to the cross, His final conversation with the disciples in John 14, He promised them the Holy Spirit would be with them, and that He would be their Helper and Comforter. On this occasion He says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn 14:27). He later concludes by saying, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace” (Jn 16:33). These scriptures remind us how is the Prince of Peace. His words reassured them, as it does for us, that we can face our fears and troubles, be reminded of His promise that He would not leave us as orphans (Jn 14:18). He promises to send the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of God, to comfort and guide His children. Dear friend, our Father is the God of peace. He comforts and assures His children to carry out His task though they may seem difficult and scary. When Moses doubted God could use him to deliver the Hebrew out of Egypt, God responded with, “I will be with you” (Ex 3:12). Following Moses’ death, God urged Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged because “the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Josh 1:9). When Jeremiah hesitated to follow God’s call to be His prophet, God repeatedly said to him, “I am with you” (Jer 1:8). There are many examples in scriptures of how God was with His children. The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of His promise of “Immanuel, God with us” (Is 7:14). His presence with us and in us. My friend, this is our greatest motivation and assurance that our Father, the God of peace, and His Son, the Prince of Peace, will always be with us (Rom 15:13, Is 9:6). Be comforted by this truth and don’t allow fear to bind you and hinder your faith in Jesus. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10), to save us from our sins (Mt 1:21), to redeem us to the Father (Jn 14:6), and to give us eternal life (Jn 10:10). Jesus came to restore our peace with God, with each other, and peace within our souls. Dear friend, will you carry the message of peace wherever you go? Will you prepare yourself with “the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15), not only to embrace the peace of God given to you but share His peace with others? The Father with us, “let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn 14:27). Father thank You for Your love and the presence of Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me to walk in Your peace that other might see Jesus through me. In the blessed Name of Jesu. Amen.