Read: John 20:26; 2 Corinthians 5
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:26 NRSV)
There is a theological tradition in the church that refers to the day of resurrection as the eighth day. The eighth day is meant to draw our attention to the seven days of creation. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God began a new creation. As Paul puts it, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV). And as Jesus proclaims in Revelation: “See, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5 NRSV).
On the first day God said, “light,” and there was light. On the second God said, “water,” and there was water. On the third day “land,” on the fourth day “sun,” on the fifth day “animals,” on the sixth day “people,” and each of these came into being by his word. On the seventh day God rested. And on the eighth day the risen Lord Jesus said, “Peace.”
Three times in John 20 Jesus says, “Peace” (vv. 19, 21, 26). Jesus was doing more than merely greeting his old friends with a kind word. He was proclaiming a new reality: Peace. Through his death and his resurrection he has created peace for us—for all whom God calls to himself. As sure as the moon will set in its place tonight and the sun will rise in the morning, so in Jesus Christ there is peace. —Jon Brown
As you pray, ask God to help you live in the peace he has made.
About the Author
Jon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, MI. With his beloved wife, Kristyn, Jon is the proud father of 4 daughters: Lydia, Tabitha, Miriah, and Ava. He has been the keynote speaker at a number of events including, The Nicaraguan Pastors Conference of the Moravian Church, The Cascades Family Bible Camp, and many events at Hope College. He is a regular writer for the Words of Hope devotionals as well. Urging the church forward to participate in the mission of Christ in the world is where Jon finds the deepest joy and greatest sense of purpose.
