Larry Devich
Monday, April 02, 2007
The Pax Domini - Monday of Holy Week
Read: John 20:19-31; if you like, review devotion 18.
Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the
disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (Jn. 20:19b-20)
As we heard earlier (devotion #18), the disciples were gathered together in a
locked room for fear of the Jews. They'd heard reports that Jesus was risen
from the dead, but had dismissed them. Then, suddenly, Jesus stood in their
midst and said, “Peace be with you,” and showed them His hands and His side.
There He was, flesh and blood and all. The locked door hadn't kept him out, for
the Lord can do whatever He wants with laws of physics. Their fears and doubts
didn't keep Him away, nor the fact that they had fled from Him at His arrest. In
fact, it was precisely because of these sins that He was standing in their midst:
He was risen to give them forgiveness. He was there to bring them peace.
The people of God gather together in Divine Service. They come with their
share of burdens, worries and fears. “What will the doctor say when the report
comes back?” “How can I tell my parents I was such an idiot?” “If I refuse to
compromise, I could lose my job!” “How will I ever make that payment?”
“Why can't I find a soul-mate?” And with so many worries, there's the
additional worry of doubt: “If I really trust that the Lord is working all things for
my good, like He promises, why do I worry so much? Why can't I sleep? And
if I clearly don't trust the Lord to help me like I should, will He indeed help
me?” Fear. Doubt. Worry.
Sounds just like the disciples on the evening that followed the Resurrection.
Even as these worries seek to steal the attention of the Lord's people, the
Lord is at work. Up at the altar, over bread and wine, the pastor repeats Jesus'
Words of Institution for Holy Communion: “This is My body...this cup is the
New Testament in My blood...for the forgiveness of sins.” And after those
words, the pastor turns to the congregation—and what does he say?
“The peace of the Lord (Latin, pax domini) be with you alway.” Just like
Jesus said to the disciples when He appeared in the midst of them to forgive.
Do you see? The Lord Jesus, risen from the grave, broke the laws of physics
to bring Himself—body, blood, and all—to the disciples, to bring them His
peace. The same risen Lord breaks the laws of physics to bring Himself—body,
blood and all; in, with and under bread and wine—to you! To bring you His
peace and grace!
Are you worried? Fearful? Full of regret? Troubled? It is for you that the
Lord comes! He delights to bring His peace to His repentant people, and so He
visits you with His resurrection tidings: “Peace be with you! I have died for
your sins, and I am risen from the dead. I give you My body and blood for
forgiveness, and I make you this promise: by this Sacrament, I strengthen and
preserve you in the one true faith unto life everlasting.”
As He came to His disciples, so He comes to you—to grant you His peace
and renew once again your membership in Him. ¶ 4/02/2007 07:48:00 AM 0 Comments
Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the
disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. (Jn. 20:19b-20)
As we heard earlier (devotion #18), the disciples were gathered together in a
locked room for fear of the Jews. They'd heard reports that Jesus was risen
from the dead, but had dismissed them. Then, suddenly, Jesus stood in their
midst and said, “Peace be with you,” and showed them His hands and His side.
There He was, flesh and blood and all. The locked door hadn't kept him out, for
the Lord can do whatever He wants with laws of physics. Their fears and doubts
didn't keep Him away, nor the fact that they had fled from Him at His arrest. In
fact, it was precisely because of these sins that He was standing in their midst:
He was risen to give them forgiveness. He was there to bring them peace.
The people of God gather together in Divine Service. They come with their
share of burdens, worries and fears. “What will the doctor say when the report
comes back?” “How can I tell my parents I was such an idiot?” “If I refuse to
compromise, I could lose my job!” “How will I ever make that payment?”
“Why can't I find a soul-mate?” And with so many worries, there's the
additional worry of doubt: “If I really trust that the Lord is working all things for
my good, like He promises, why do I worry so much? Why can't I sleep? And
if I clearly don't trust the Lord to help me like I should, will He indeed help
me?” Fear. Doubt. Worry.
Sounds just like the disciples on the evening that followed the Resurrection.
Even as these worries seek to steal the attention of the Lord's people, the
Lord is at work. Up at the altar, over bread and wine, the pastor repeats Jesus'
Words of Institution for Holy Communion: “This is My body...this cup is the
New Testament in My blood...for the forgiveness of sins.” And after those
words, the pastor turns to the congregation—and what does he say?
“The peace of the Lord (Latin, pax domini) be with you alway.” Just like
Jesus said to the disciples when He appeared in the midst of them to forgive.
Do you see? The Lord Jesus, risen from the grave, broke the laws of physics
to bring Himself—body, blood, and all—to the disciples, to bring them His
peace. The same risen Lord breaks the laws of physics to bring Himself—body,
blood and all; in, with and under bread and wine—to you! To bring you His
peace and grace!
Are you worried? Fearful? Full of regret? Troubled? It is for you that the
Lord comes! He delights to bring His peace to His repentant people, and so He
visits you with His resurrection tidings: “Peace be with you! I have died for
your sins, and I am risen from the dead. I give you My body and blood for
forgiveness, and I make you this promise: by this Sacrament, I strengthen and
preserve you in the one true faith unto life everlasting.”
As He came to His disciples, so He comes to you—to grant you His peace
and renew once again your membership in Him. ¶ 4/02/2007 07:48:00 AM 0 Comments
