by Bob D’Ambrosio
What words comes to mind when you think of Easter?
Joy. Forgiveness. Life. Spring.
How about peace?
Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” —John 20:21
It’s interesting that on the first Easter evening, Jesus appears to his disciples and tells them, “Peace be with you.” The message of peace is so important he tells them twice. Instead of explaining his miraculous resurrection, he simply wishes them peace.
That may be a message we need to hear this Easter. Our news is filled with stories of mass shootings, political divisions, global threats, an unstable economy and other stress-inducing situations. Add to that the personal storms you’re dealing with and our stress levels may have depleted our capacity for peace.
Can we be peace-filled this Easter when life seems out of control?
For the disciples, the outcome of Jesus’ words and seeing his physical presence caused them to be “overjoyed.” They experienced peace.
Before Easter, take a deep breath and read John 20:19-23. Ask yourself:
- What message does Jesus want to tell me this Easter?
- How can I allow God’s peace to fill me?
- Who in my life needs God’s peace and what can I do to make that happen?
May the peace of God fill you this Easter in a fresh, new way!
Hi Bob as a fulfilled Jew in my kinsmen redeemer Yeshua Meshiach Jesus! What comes to my mind when I consider the Gentiles Easter festival is; Did Yeshua celebrate the modern festival called Easter, which was introduced by the Roman Catholics from its Pagan roots? into their churches! after His death? Or according to the original teachings of Elohim and Paul also Jesus! Would He celebrate God Elohim His festival Passover during the life of Yeshua His only Son. With due respect Bob? I have met demon-oppressed Jews and Gentiles who say they except the way of the Messiah… and can have peace even at the time of the Easter festival? But to have shalom you need to put back the Passover and lose Easter. Recently a Baptist Gentile Christian said to me, that God will except the modern festival of Easter from a Gentile, when He returns to earth? in place of Passover! God said He will not return to this earth, but there will be a new heaven and earth, also God does not change His mind as men/woman, He has asked us to celebrate Passover and will not except another festival, to replace the Passover Lamb Yeshua-Jesus.
The Gentiles answer to me the Jew was ‘Easter is a modern Gentile festival, and Jews like me? should except it! Paul warned the Gentiles not to be arrogant to the root… Shalom Kenneth Howard…
“He has asked us to celebrate Passover and will not except another festival, to replace the Passover Lamb Yeshua-Jesus.”
I agree. 1Cor 5:7-8 ” For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
And; Luke 22:19″ And He (Jesus) took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.””
In my opinion, that is the essence of our celebration- We have been delivered from spiritual Egypt through The Messiah’s sacrifice.