Day 8: Turmoil
Illustration
When Jesus died on the cross, His followers were confused and downcast, their hearts were in turmoil because they did not yet understand what God was doing. They didn’t understand that the suffering of Jesus was purchasing their eternal life and their freedom from turmoil. But days later, the risen Christ came to His disciples with His peace.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them 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. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:19-23
Do you see how Jesus connects the disciple’s peace with His wounds? “Peace be with you. When he had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.” Friend, look at the wounds of Jesus, remember the cross of Jesus, and be at peace. For Jesus has removed your sin (John 1:29), redeemed you from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13-14), justified you before God (Romans 4:25), nailed to the cross the legal document of your wrongs (Colossians 2:14), and bought your eternal life (John 3:16).