The Risen Jesus - Pt 5

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 3:13-21 ESV).

The first appearance of Jesus is so full of assurance and encouragement for our journey. At the end of the passage the Apostle John tells us that Jesus came to convey to them three gifts: the gift of peace, the gift of power, and the gift of purpose. The opposite of peace is conflict. The opposite of power is weakness. The opposite of purpose is aimlessness. Our reading today explains that peace Jesus brought to us. So many lives are ruined by conflict, weakness, and aimlessness. Jesus did not come into the world and die and rise again to ruin our life. He came to save it. And what we see is that he saves us from ruining our lives by becoming himself our peace and our power and our purpose. This is the result of Jesus being “in our midst.” He is with us and therefore His peace is with us. After the resurrection Jesus said twice: “Peace be with you.” 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.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” Before Jesus says anything about power or purpose he wants to establish peace. The order here is really important. The peace that Jesus gives is before and underneath any of our empowered actions or any of our purposeful deeds. We don’t initiate peace with Jesus by our actions. He initiates peace with us. This is what the apostle Paul means in our reading today. We are no longer in conflict with God; and, that peace affects every other relationship we experience. Those who may appear to be our enemies we may now forgive and move forward, whether they do or not. Others no longer have power over us. Jesus does. His power trumps all others! Sleep well tonight. He has it under control!