I Just Had to Stop In
Easter 2: Gospel, John 20:19-31
Just now with our “quarantine experience” so much a part of our lives, I’d wager some of us would like to jump in our vehicles and go visit someone … anyone. We cannot do that at present. Hopefully soon. But in this week’s gospel text we have someone, a very special someone who is determined to make a visit. The ones blessed to receive the visit are certainly those we would expect to be. But by a long and unbroken historical extension, we can be seen to be blessed as well. Just a couple thoughts.
Jesus, crucified and risen has not been away very long. In fact John 19 highlights the events of the evening of the day of resurrection itself. Jesus appears to his disciples very likely in the room where he celebrated His Passover a few nights before. And he greets them like anyone newly raised from the dead would greet someone, “Peace be with you.” Now that’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but can you imagine? PEACE!!! Are you kidding??? The visitor was their recently entombed friend. The one in whom they had placed all their earthly hopes because heavenly hopes weren’t even in their minds as yet. And then, he’s dead. DEAD!
“Peace be with you.” Jesus couldn’t stand to be away from His friends. And the catalog of post-resurrection appearances supports that: Emmaus, the Upper Room here, and a week out with Thomas, “the doubter.” Then there’s the breakfast on the seashore, the moment of the ascension. You get the picture. Jesus wanted to be with them. Why? Well just consider a moment. If the Creator-King of the universe had gone through all he did to become a human person, He must like to be around us. Remember in the garden. On the very day Adam and Eve gave human collapse to all of history, God is there searching them out. He didn’t wait long. And remember He came with gospel promise (Gen. 3:15).
So this “Peace be with you” is not meant for only them, and not only for that moment but for all the moments between that one and the moment we see Him crack the heavens coming in return for you and me. Have you ever noticed that the Book of Revelation doesn’t picture us going “up” to heaven, but rather God coming down to us. To do what? To see us. To be with us. And on that day it won’t be just a visit. It will be forever. Peace be with you.
- How much do you long for the Savior’s return?
- Try awakening in the morning saying first: “Lord, is it today?”
