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SWEET SEASONS

There have been some seasons of my life that have been really sweet.

  • Job was close to where I lived
  • Relationships were solid
  • Finances were sound
  • Fitness was strong

In other words, everything was at peace. It wasn't just that I wasn't in violent conflict with someone, it was that everything in life was "good" (as Genesis would call it).

There have been other seasons, that were difficult.

  • I lived 45 miles from where I went to school and 45 miles from where I worked (lots of driving)
  • Relationships were disjointed
  • Finances were sketchy
  • Fitness was so-so

In this kind of season, everything felt out-of-order and disconnected. This was the opposite of peace - often being pulled in lots of directions and not having a sense of being grounded.

When we get to Luke 24, something similar is happening.

LUKE 24:36b

In Luke 24, Jesus is appearing to disciples, and in verse 36b, the resurrected Jesus pops up again amidst the disciples and simply say, "Peace be with you."

The resurrected Jesus is offering this group of "out-of-order" disciples "order" - the reassurance that they can live under his reign - grounded and at peace.

This extension of peace to restless, anxious disciples is a gift.

That same offer of peace is extended to us.

PEACE IN UNCERTAINTY

Remember the resurrection of Jesus is helpful (and important!) because it reminds us how chaotic the world became because of the Easter event.

  • Rome was on edge because the body was missing
  • Disciples were on edge because authorities would be looking for them
  • Jewish synagogues were dealing with hundreds of people with claims that Jesus was the Messiah

As a result, when Jesus begins to show up in this newly found, chaotic state - he says "Peace."

  • You don't have to live stressed
  • You don't have to live worried
  • You don't have to live anxious

But in Christ, you can be grounded, still, present, and at peace.

Be encouraged.

Christ is your peace.