By Susie Carr
So much packed into these 5 verses! I am not going to spend time going over the issue of who can forgive sin…Mark 2:7 says “only God can forgive sin”
All you can do is assure people that they are forgiven based on God’s word.
A lot happened in this first day of Jesus rising from the dead. Mary Magdalene had seen Him in the morning and in the afternoon we see in Luke 24 the disciples walking on the road to Emmaus and Jesus is talking with them and has a meal with them and still they do not recognize Him until later on.
In the evening of this same day He appears to the other disciples in a house
So why didn’t they recognize them? Perhaps:
His resurrected body appeared different then how they had seen Him before.
The process of crucifixion had physically changed Him.
But the best answer is found in Luke 24 with the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. “Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him.” 24:16
For some supernatural reason Jesus hid His appearance from them.
But not for long!
At the end of this busy day for Jesus we see Him appearing to the disciples who were behind closed doors very much afraid.
And His first words: “Peace be with you.” He then shows the disciples His scars on His hands and side and then the disciples were glad to see it was truly Him.
And again He repeats “Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you”.
Vs. 22 “He breathed on them and said to them “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
This is the point where they became born again!
Remember when God first breathed on man in Gen. 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being”.
His first breath gave man physical life
His second breath gave man his spiritual life
Do you remember when Jesus first breathed on you and you became born again?
I will venture to say that that experience brought peace to each one of our hearts.
The message that Jesus brings to His followers is that beautiful message of PEACE!
1 Cor. 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God”
That’s a whole study in itself searching out the things that are freely given to us!
Peace is one of those things freely given to us! Our inheritance is HIS peace!
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
His peace is not based on the circumstances of the day. It does not require me to be victorious in a trial I am struggling in. His peace overcomes a troubled and fearful heart. And we all have experienced those times when fear and trouble overcame us but through each heartache, each struggle we can learn to let His Peace rule in our hearts.
How do we experience His peace? Let me give you 3 ways:
- Peace is obtained by faith; by simply believing what God has said is true. He gives it; I receive it.
We have become accustomed to thinking we can only experience peace when all is well within our small realm of life. That is not the peace Jesus wants to give us. To quote my husband, “Peace is not found in a place or circumstance; peace is found in a person”. And that person is Jesus!
We, of course, know what is going to happen to the disciples that night as Jesus sends them out. Overwhelming circumstances and hardships would come their way and here, this evening in this room He continues to build a firm foundation for them beginning with peace.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” NIV
If He has overcome the world He can overcome your struggles and knowing this truth will bring you peace. You don’t have to have all the answers to your problems but… Point 2…
- Peace is received by trust in who the Father is. Mark 4:35-41 is a good example of the disciples not trusting Jesus and thus they became fearful and had no peace. It’s one thing to have faith in Jesus but it’s another thing to have trust in Him and His wisdom.
When you struggle with a situation you don’t stop believing in Him but perhaps you don’t completely trust Him to get you through that difficult time. That’s what happened to the disciples in Mark 4. They didn’t trust Him for the plan Jesus had already laid out for them…get in the boat and go to the other side. Obstacles occurred in Jesus’ plan for them and fear overcame trust and this situation caused the disciples to question His care for them.
Do you trust that He cares for you and will get you through the situation you are in right now?
Sincere trust will always bring you peace.
But in Mark 5: “they came to the other side”
Is.26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he
trusts in YOU”.
- Peace is experienced by choice Col. 3:15 “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts”
In my personal life I can tell you that His peace has sustained me through many incredibly difficult circumstances. He has held me in His grasp through times of suffering, disappointments, defeat and what I have called the dark night of the soul. Yet, His peace conquers it all.
You can coexist with difficult times and still have His peace, where fear or anger is not ruling you but His peace is.
Ps.94:19 “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul”. That comfort comes in the form of peace.
Paul said in 2Cor. 4:8 “we are perplexed, but not in despair.” Choose to let God’s peace rule you.
Probably my best advice to you is to remember the scripture says “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7
When using this scripture please begin with verse 5 of Phil 4 “The Lord is at hand”…therefore be anxious for nothing.
This is where you must first win the battle…in your mind and then and only then can you physically face the difficulties you are dealing with.
His peace allows you to be led by Him, instructed by Him.
To conclude ask yourself when you don’t sense His peace why? What is hindering you from experiencing His peace? The answer will come in one of these three points: lack of faith, lack of trust, choosing not to let peace rule in your heart.
Get to that issue and just do the opposite.
Acts 3:19 “the times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord”
Greek word “refreshing” means “breathing again”. Us breathing that deep sigh of relief as we experience His presence.
One way to experience God’s breath upon you is to simply read your Bible.
2Tim.3:16 -17“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous that the woman of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”.
The word “inspiration” of God is translated “God breathed out”. God’s very breath through His word comes to you each time you open your Bible.
You should sense His presence when you have your quiet time with Him as you read His word.
Song: This is the Air I Breathe
Rearview mirror – destroys peace. Binoculars – adjust your focus on Him.
Heb.4:9 “there remains therefore a rest for the people of God.” With His peace comes rest.