Peace Be With You

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send 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, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:19-23 

Peace and forgiveness. Peace is such a sweet feeling. No turmoil—just a restful calmness. Peace to you—may God grant you His sweet peace today—waves of sweet peace overflowing, flooding your heart and life. Forgiveness. For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. Matthew 6:14-15. Was Jesus giving His disciples the power to forgive or retain sins? Everyone has the power to forgive. Forgiveness is divine…an act of humbling oneself and extending a heartfelt pardon of someone’s offense. Which is better? To be forgiven or to forgive?  

RSVP: Jesus is offering you His peace today. How will you respond to His offer? 

Prayer ~ Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.