As I was reading the writing of John this evening, my mind pondered on what thoughts, hopes and dreams the followers of Jesus experienced on this date over two thousand years ago. Their hearts, hopes and dreams were crushed at the cross. Their minds were disturbed, distressed, discouraged and filled with doubt. Their hearts were troubled and uncertainty was their cup of grief. They felt abandoned; left without a leader. The excitement, hopes and dreams of being with Jesus were moments from the past during those hours from the cross to the resurrection. Their world once filled with peace and joy was dark and dreary. They were experiencing deep grief and sorrow. They did not realize they had watched a righteous man give his life on the cross, a sacrifice for the sin of all humanity and they would soon experience the historical powerful world altering resurrection of the Son of God.
We get a glimpse of what was happening from John’s record of the events that day in history. A new day was dawning.
John writes these words in John 20:1: “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
Why would Mary desire to rise and go to the tomb while it was still dark? We don’t have the answer but she was doubtlessly anxious and desired to find peace. She was the first one who discovered the most important event in the world. There was no one in the grave – it was empty. If there was only the cross without the resurrection, the gospel would be powerless and hopeless. Without the resurrection, there would be no peace or hope for humanity.
John continues to write: Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.
Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
John shares the moment he believed. When he ‘went in also; and he saw and believed.’ Believing brings peace to the heart of humanity. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He spoke peace to the disciples and emphasized the message of peace by repeating it twice. We have a message we can share with humanity – Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:19-21
Peace is the heart of Christianity. Jesus has sent us to carry the message of peace to the world. He has personalized it by stating: “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
His words are as powerful today as they were on the day of His resurrection. Peace flows from the heart of God – made possible by an empty tomb. From the grave to the throne of the Father, Jesus paid the price for peace for all humanity if they will accept Him to live in their heart by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
I pray you will seek to experience the peace of God on this special day when Christians around the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Resurrection Sunday should not be the only day men and women seek to experience peace with God. Daily we must obediently yield our life to Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to live within our heart to have eternal peace and joy.
