Third Sunday of Easter, Cycle B, April 19, 2015
Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36-48
Grace to you and peace from the One who was raised from the dead and is still with us and is giving us the new life. Amen.
Hopeless, despair, startled, terrified…these words could well describe the atmosphere in the room where the disciples gathered. They followed Jesus for almost three years giving up their jobs, families, friends and their home towns and so much more. They followed Jesus with much expectation to be the ruler of the nation, the mighty warrior like King David who can conquer Rome and restore God’s Kingdom in Israel. But suddenly, their hope, Jesus Christ was considered as criminal and was killed on the cross by the religious leaders and roman soldiers. And now, they were hiding in a place without knowing what their future might be like. They were afraid of the authority because they also could be accused as criminals and be killed like Jesus was. Also, they were disappointed at themselves since they betrayed Jesus when he was arrested several days ago. They fled. Peter, one of the disciples, denied and even cursed Jesus to avoid the threats. They weren’t there when Jesus died and they didn’t see how Jesus died. The limit of their love toward Jesus was proved and their friendship was broken by the fear of death.
Several days passed, and they heard a rumor that Jesus Christ was raised from death and appeared in front of some of the disciples and the women. They still doubted if it was true or not. They were just in a deep despair and sorrow.
But today’s gospel tells us that Jesus stood among them and said “Peace be with you.” What a surprise! Jesus appeared like a ghost and the disciples were stunned, and they were still in doubt. The tomb was open but their minds were closed. They were unable to recognize the holiness that stood among them. They continued to live, think, and understand with their human capacities. But so many things happened suddenly in about a week which can’t be described with human thought and understanding. And here, Jesus Christ was alive showing his nailed hands and feet, and he was even eating the food! Now, their fear turned to joy and wonder. Their hope was real. Jesus Christ was real God’s Son and Savior. Imagine how the disciples would have felt seeing risen Jesus and experiencing his real presence. They no longer feared nor remained in sorrow but they were full of joy and comfort by Jesus Christ.
Indeed, Jesus brought peace to them since Jesus had conquered death, and now he lives forever. They didn’t have to fear death. They didn’t have to fear the authority that sentenced Jesus to death. Jesus had conquered injustice, violence, hatred, rejection, and death by taking them all upon himself and overcoming them in the Resurrection.
I was moved when I read this Gospel reading. Jesus didn’t scold his disciples when he appeared for the first time. But what did he say instead? “Peace be with you.” And you can see in the Bible that Jesus said the phrase, “Peace be with you” most often after his resurrection. He already knew the despair and fear that resided in the disciples. Jesus died for us to give us eternal peace. Right before he was arrested in Gospel John, he had a long and special conversation with the disciples saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives…I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus constantly spoke about peace in the turmoil which would happen in their future.
Jesus is now showing his wounds, his nailed hands and feet, and his pierced side saying “If you trust in me, I will give you all the peace you need. Look at my wounds for you, you can know for certain that I love you and the love will never change just as I keep my wounds in my resurrected body forever. I give you my peace which will cure your stress, depression and anxiety you have in your life since I am your King reigning now and always and forever.”
When Jesus showed them his wounds, the disciples must have realized that Jesus suffered and died to share his everlasting life. They must have known for sure that his unbounded forgiveness lasts forever and that Jesus loves them with unconditional and determined love.
I would like to share a story of a man named Horatio Spafford who chose to keep his faith in the times of despair. Horatio (1828-1888) was a wealthy Chicago lawyer with a thriving legal practice, a beautiful home, a wife, four daughters and a son. He was also a devout Christian. When he was at the peak of his financial and professional success, Horatio and his wife Anna suffered the tragic loss of their young son. Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe for his wife and daughters so that they can take some time to recover physically and emotionally from the tragedy. Spafford sent his wife and daughters before him and promised that he will follow afterwards once he took care of some unexpected last minute business. Several days later, he received a notice that his family's ship had encountered a collision. All four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.
With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving Anna in England. On his way to meet his wife, he wrote a poem that now became a beautiful hymn. I would like to read a small part of it for you: “When peace like a river attends my way; When sorrow like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul...” For more than a century, the heartfelt story of one man has given hope and peace to countless thousands who have lifted their voices to sing, It Is Well with My Soul.
We all have our own distress and fear that we face in our lives. We have Hamid, Sahar, Sarah and Daniel from Iran who made their choice to follow Jesus from persecution of Islamic forces and bravely gave up their country and family and came to the United States. Their faith allowed them to confidently choose hope when they were forced to make a decision. They chose to follow Jesus and remain in peace. My Korean friends and I were afraid when we came to this country without knowing the language and culture or any acquaintances. When we were suffering from the rumors that spread viciously about us, we could have gone back to Korea or locked up ourselves and avoid meeting people after all the betrayals that we encountered. But we chose hope and remained in peace. It was only possible because our Lord Jesus assured and promised us that he will give us peace. We all might have experienced or are experiencing financial difficulties, loss of beloved ones, divorce, depression, big and small arguments with people around us. These troubles in our life stir up our minds and thoughts. It hinders us from seeing Jesus’ resurrection and finding peace in him.
We need to remember that when there is hope there is always temptation. This temptation may be the worldly things that keep us away from God, but it can also be emotional temptations such as depression, disappointment, fear, or cowardice. That is the time when we are forced to make a decision for ourselves whether we will choose hope and move forward or choose fear and remain in despair like the disciples. And this courage to choose hope comes from our faith in Jesus. Do you remember the story where Jesus and the disciples were in the boat, and they met a storm, but Jesus was sleeping? Did you ever question yourself why he was sleeping? Yes, of course, he would have been tired, but I think that he had no fear in him. He knew that he would not die even in the storm. This confident thought gave peace in him. Likewise, for three years, Jesus has been showing the disciples what peace is and how it is gained.
God commands us to seek peace in the Bible. Paul says in Romans 14 that “We should make every effort to do what leads to peace.” Peace can be defined as “tranquility, harmony, or security”, but Peace in the Bible is a status when constant love and firm faith is built upon Jesus.
When we are in the state of peace, we are not afraid of death. Just like the disciples shared the love of Jesus Christ so bravely in the midst of life threatening persecution, and just like Horatio Spafford sang peace when he lost all his children, peace keeps us solid and sturdy in the midst of any fear, threat, sadness or despair.
When Jesus said to the disciples in today’s Gospel lesson that they are the witnesses, he meant that they were witnesses of not only the death and resurrection of Christ, and the repentance and forgiveness of sins, but also the peace that he shares with us, the peace that the world can never give us, the peace that we gain through faith in Christ.
Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36-48
Grace to you and peace from the One who was raised from the dead and is still with us and is giving us the new life. Amen.
Hopeless, despair, startled, terrified…these words could well describe the atmosphere in the room where the disciples gathered. They followed Jesus for almost three years giving up their jobs, families, friends and their home towns and so much more. They followed Jesus with much expectation to be the ruler of the nation, the mighty warrior like King David who can conquer Rome and restore God’s Kingdom in Israel. But suddenly, their hope, Jesus Christ was considered as criminal and was killed on the cross by the religious leaders and roman soldiers. And now, they were hiding in a place without knowing what their future might be like. They were afraid of the authority because they also could be accused as criminals and be killed like Jesus was. Also, they were disappointed at themselves since they betrayed Jesus when he was arrested several days ago. They fled. Peter, one of the disciples, denied and even cursed Jesus to avoid the threats. They weren’t there when Jesus died and they didn’t see how Jesus died. The limit of their love toward Jesus was proved and their friendship was broken by the fear of death.
Several days passed, and they heard a rumor that Jesus Christ was raised from death and appeared in front of some of the disciples and the women. They still doubted if it was true or not. They were just in a deep despair and sorrow.
But today’s gospel tells us that Jesus stood among them and said “Peace be with you.” What a surprise! Jesus appeared like a ghost and the disciples were stunned, and they were still in doubt. The tomb was open but their minds were closed. They were unable to recognize the holiness that stood among them. They continued to live, think, and understand with their human capacities. But so many things happened suddenly in about a week which can’t be described with human thought and understanding. And here, Jesus Christ was alive showing his nailed hands and feet, and he was even eating the food! Now, their fear turned to joy and wonder. Their hope was real. Jesus Christ was real God’s Son and Savior. Imagine how the disciples would have felt seeing risen Jesus and experiencing his real presence. They no longer feared nor remained in sorrow but they were full of joy and comfort by Jesus Christ.
Indeed, Jesus brought peace to them since Jesus had conquered death, and now he lives forever. They didn’t have to fear death. They didn’t have to fear the authority that sentenced Jesus to death. Jesus had conquered injustice, violence, hatred, rejection, and death by taking them all upon himself and overcoming them in the Resurrection.
I was moved when I read this Gospel reading. Jesus didn’t scold his disciples when he appeared for the first time. But what did he say instead? “Peace be with you.” And you can see in the Bible that Jesus said the phrase, “Peace be with you” most often after his resurrection. He already knew the despair and fear that resided in the disciples. Jesus died for us to give us eternal peace. Right before he was arrested in Gospel John, he had a long and special conversation with the disciples saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives…I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus constantly spoke about peace in the turmoil which would happen in their future.
Jesus is now showing his wounds, his nailed hands and feet, and his pierced side saying “If you trust in me, I will give you all the peace you need. Look at my wounds for you, you can know for certain that I love you and the love will never change just as I keep my wounds in my resurrected body forever. I give you my peace which will cure your stress, depression and anxiety you have in your life since I am your King reigning now and always and forever.”
When Jesus showed them his wounds, the disciples must have realized that Jesus suffered and died to share his everlasting life. They must have known for sure that his unbounded forgiveness lasts forever and that Jesus loves them with unconditional and determined love.
I would like to share a story of a man named Horatio Spafford who chose to keep his faith in the times of despair. Horatio (1828-1888) was a wealthy Chicago lawyer with a thriving legal practice, a beautiful home, a wife, four daughters and a son. He was also a devout Christian. When he was at the peak of his financial and professional success, Horatio and his wife Anna suffered the tragic loss of their young son. Spafford scheduled a boat trip to Europe for his wife and daughters so that they can take some time to recover physically and emotionally from the tragedy. Spafford sent his wife and daughters before him and promised that he will follow afterwards once he took care of some unexpected last minute business. Several days later, he received a notice that his family's ship had encountered a collision. All four of his daughters drowned; only his wife had survived.
With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat that would take him to his grieving Anna in England. On his way to meet his wife, he wrote a poem that now became a beautiful hymn. I would like to read a small part of it for you: “When peace like a river attends my way; When sorrow like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, you have taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul...” For more than a century, the heartfelt story of one man has given hope and peace to countless thousands who have lifted their voices to sing, It Is Well with My Soul.
We all have our own distress and fear that we face in our lives. We have Hamid, Sahar, Sarah and Daniel from Iran who made their choice to follow Jesus from persecution of Islamic forces and bravely gave up their country and family and came to the United States. Their faith allowed them to confidently choose hope when they were forced to make a decision. They chose to follow Jesus and remain in peace. My Korean friends and I were afraid when we came to this country without knowing the language and culture or any acquaintances. When we were suffering from the rumors that spread viciously about us, we could have gone back to Korea or locked up ourselves and avoid meeting people after all the betrayals that we encountered. But we chose hope and remained in peace. It was only possible because our Lord Jesus assured and promised us that he will give us peace. We all might have experienced or are experiencing financial difficulties, loss of beloved ones, divorce, depression, big and small arguments with people around us. These troubles in our life stir up our minds and thoughts. It hinders us from seeing Jesus’ resurrection and finding peace in him.
We need to remember that when there is hope there is always temptation. This temptation may be the worldly things that keep us away from God, but it can also be emotional temptations such as depression, disappointment, fear, or cowardice. That is the time when we are forced to make a decision for ourselves whether we will choose hope and move forward or choose fear and remain in despair like the disciples. And this courage to choose hope comes from our faith in Jesus. Do you remember the story where Jesus and the disciples were in the boat, and they met a storm, but Jesus was sleeping? Did you ever question yourself why he was sleeping? Yes, of course, he would have been tired, but I think that he had no fear in him. He knew that he would not die even in the storm. This confident thought gave peace in him. Likewise, for three years, Jesus has been showing the disciples what peace is and how it is gained.
God commands us to seek peace in the Bible. Paul says in Romans 14 that “We should make every effort to do what leads to peace.” Peace can be defined as “tranquility, harmony, or security”, but Peace in the Bible is a status when constant love and firm faith is built upon Jesus.
When we are in the state of peace, we are not afraid of death. Just like the disciples shared the love of Jesus Christ so bravely in the midst of life threatening persecution, and just like Horatio Spafford sang peace when he lost all his children, peace keeps us solid and sturdy in the midst of any fear, threat, sadness or despair.
When Jesus said to the disciples in today’s Gospel lesson that they are the witnesses, he meant that they were witnesses of not only the death and resurrection of Christ, and the repentance and forgiveness of sins, but also the peace that he shares with us, the peace that the world can never give us, the peace that we gain through faith in Christ.