Luke 24:36–52
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Powerful Words
“Peace be with you.”
I’ve been in many churches that invoke this phrase as they pass the peace to one another within their worship services. I have wondered about why those particular words seem so special. While volunteering in our local hospitals as part of the spiritual care team, I noticed that my colleagues would enter every patient room with the same peace-filled sentence. As I stepped into many difficult spaces, where life and death felt mingled, I came to realize how “Peace be with you” was a much-needed gift. It was in that season that I began to offer peace as a greeting to others, both in and out of need, and learned to draw heavily upon the hope Jesus provided for his disciples as he greeted them this way.
We read in Luke 24 how the disciples were still reeling from the events of the previous days. Deep sorrow, confusion, tentative joy – all these had been a part of their journey so far. The now risen Jesus appears to them and speaks “Peace be with you.” While these may be familiar words to us now, we should not allow their familiarity to diminish their value, for they are powerful words filled with the promise of presence, compassion, and assurance.
Peace be with you.
I wonder what you hear in this simple yet powerful greeting?
Peace be with you. Can you hear it proclaim the promise of Jesus’ presence with us now and always? In disruption, in the unexpected, inexplicable, and uncertain corners of our lives, we may confidently lean into our present Saviour, Emmanuel—God with us. It is a with-ness that invites us to experience relational intimacy with God, a confidence in his ever-present care, and the freedom to keep pace with the peace-bathed rhythms of his leading.
Peace be with you. Can you hear it reveal Jesus’ deep compassion for the world? The voice that carries to us such a greeting is One that continually seeks us, moves towards us, and embraces us. These are words of the One who sees the fullness of our sorrow, who has felt the weight of our brokenness, and with kindness and mercy tends to our deep wounds even as he has been wounded. With joy we find that the same compassion that moves the shepherd to seek the lost sheep has been at work in the life, death, and resurrection power of Jesus to bring us safely home and into lasting peace.
Peace be with you. Can you hear how it rings with a hope-filled clarion tone? We hear in it a declaration that echoes the eternity altering “It is finished” Jesus spoke from the cross. It affirms that the once fractured has been restored. Places of uncertainty are now overflowing with assurance. Distance has been replaced with presence. Fear has been dispelled and joy has dawned. Good has won the day.
Can you hear it? Peace is with you.
“Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’” (24:36).
Questions and Prayer Prompts:
As you reflect on this greeting Jesus offers his disciples, consider how these powerful words may touch your story today.
Are you aware of a need to encounter the presence of Jesus? As you think on your need, bring it before Jesus in prayer. Breathe in this promise: Peace be with you.
Do you trust that Jesus’ posture towards you is one of deep compassion? Let Jesus extend to you his compassionate love. Breathe in: Peace be with you.
Do you live with the assurance that, in Christ Jesus, good wins? Rest as you trust in Jesus’ power. Breathe in: Peace be with you.
Author Bio
Rev. Kyla Ward serves as Lead Pastor at
Victoria Alliance Church and is currently a member of The Alliance Canada Board of Directors. Newly empty nesters, she and her husband enjoy daily walks around the beautiful Inner Harbour of Victoria, sometimes with their favourite borrowed dog, Maggie.
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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