Peace Be Unto You
Luke 24:33–39
Because of the empty tomb, we have peace.
The resurrection of Christ is the most beautiful picture ever painted, the most beautiful song ever sung, and the most beautiful sunrise ever witnessed. It is the embodiment of everything our world strives to portray. Hollywood seeks to produce the ultimate good-triumphing-evil story, but that story has already been told in the Bible. Singers seek to compose a song that touches the depth of a person’s soul, but God’s song of resurrection has already accomplished that. Artists seek to move people’s emotions through art, yet the picture of the empty tomb moves more than paint could.
How glorious is the empty tomb! It is the symbol of victory. It is the finisher of salvation. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:55–57, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Death no longer has power over the saved. The grave is powerless in the life of the saved. Death no longer means the end, but the beginning of a new life with Jesus.
While many religions look somberly to the death of their leader, notice the gift Jesus provides us through the empty tomb.
Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Fear was running rampant among believers after Jesus’ death, yet as Jesus appeared to His apostles, He greets them with a reminder of peace, “Peace be unto you.”
Jesus’ resurrection quieted the doubts and fears of those watching His ministry. He offered peace to those troubled by the uncharted waters they were facing. He promised peace to those worried by the chaos in the world. He extended peace to those trying to make sense of confusing events in their lives. His resurrection offered peace.
Our Lord no longer lies in a tomb. His ministry didn’t end at His death. Our God is alive and reigning in Heaven right now. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in the world.
Jesus offers you peace today through His empty tomb. You don’t have to worry about the future or stress about the unknown. As Jesus told His apostles, so He tells you, “Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
The apostles wondered at their fate so much that they locked themselves in a room and refused to let others inside. They were frightened by the Lord’s death. But as Jesus showed them His resurrected body, He quieted their fears and reassured them that He was very much alive and still in control.
Why are you troubled today? Do you believe Jesus is alive and in control of the world? Don’t allow the world’s problems to worry you, but remember that because of the empty tomb, you can know God is in control.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 13–14 | John 12:1–26
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