One truth I know about the Bible is that if Jesus said it, He meant it. In my study of the Bible, I always like to look for quotes from Jesus. During this Easter season, I'm currently studying everything Jesus is recorded saying after the resurrection.
The Gospels tell us one of the most common phrases Jesus said after His resurrection was, "Don't be afraid." John 20:19 also captures Jesus as saying, "Peace be with you."
Why do you suppose Jesus said these things to His disciples and followers?
Certainly, they would have been at least a little shocked seeing him alive after the brutal crucifixion and burial in the tomb. Jesus would have expected them to be a little taken back. I think it's more than that though.
Fear and lack of peace are perhaps the two greatest enemies in a believer's life.
Fear to go where God is calling you to go...
Unrest about what's going to happen tomorrow...
Fear that prevents you from letting go of control and giving your entire life to God...
As followers of Christ, we need not have fear or lack of peace in our lives. God is the source of courage and boldness that we need to wake up every morning knowing that He is in control and we have eternal life with Him no matter what happens. God is also the source of our peace - a peace that goes beyond human understanding. We don't need our lives to be calm and without problems to have peace. The peace that God offers us isn't the removal of those problems, but peace in the midst of those problems.
If Jesus says we don't need to be afraid and that peace is being offered to us from the living God, then I believe it and I'll take it!
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