The first words from the risen Christ to His fearful and failing followers were, "Peace be with you..." He should have scolded them and pointed out their failure and weakness. Imagine how startled and relieved they must have felt to hear His words of comfort after their utter failure to be loyal to Him in His darkest hour.
But Jesus is always different than what we expect.
When He spoke words of peace to His followers after His resurrection, He was sowing seeds of love, forgiveness, faith, hope, light, joy in hearts that were full of fear, offense, unbelief, hopelessness, darkness and sadness. He was loving and forgiving them without demanding to be loved and understood. In so doing He won their full allegiance and willingness to follow in His steps.
This is the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. Every human longs for inner peace. To be His follower is to be an "instrument of peace" to those among whom we live, giving them the good news of the risen Lord that God is not against them but is for them no matter how they have failed.
Lord, make us instruments of Your peace in the days we are living in...Amen.
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