Shalom

"Peace be with you"

Jesus offered this greeting when he appeared in the midst of the locked in disciples who were already afraid for their lives. Jesus came to them - where they were physically, and where they were emotionally: afraid, doubting, disappointed, confused. Jesus' appearance did not depend on the faith, or faithfulness, of the disciples, but on his grace and mercy.

After Jesus bid them his peace once again, he breathed on them the Holy Spirit.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23)

When Jesus showed up, the atmosphere of the house must have changed dramatically. The disciples must have been so relieved. They had not been wrong, Jesus was not angry with them, the previous three years had not been a waste.

We were not in that room with the disciples, but Jesus comes to us still - into the locked chambers of our hearts and minds. He offers us his peace (or shalom), his forgiveness, and the power of the Holy Spirit now as he did then.

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)

Shalom to you now Shalom my friends May God's full mercies bless you my friends In all your living and through your loving Christ be your shalom Christ be your shalom - Elise S. Eslinger