Peace Be Unto You
Peace Be Unto You
How to experience the peace of God in your life
John 20:19–23
Peace is one of the most universally desired experiences. Nations pursue it through diplomacy, strength, and strategy, yet history repeatedly shows how fragile and temporary those rememberable peace agreements can be. Scripture identifies peace as the “desire of all nations” (Haggai 2:7), because peace is not merely a political condition, it is a spiritual necessity.
Every heart, home, and house of God (local church) desires peace. We are either shaped by it's presence or troubled by its absence. We depend upon it to function and operate in a spirit of unity rather than division. The peace men long for cannot be manufactured by circumstances, isolation, or optimism. Jesus was clear when he spoke to his disciples before the cross: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). The peace Christ gives is of a different kind altogether. It is not dependent upon outward calm but upon inward assurance. It is not the removal of fear but the triumph over it.
Peace in the Presence of Christ
John records that on the evening of the resurrection day, the disciples were gathered together in fear. They had assembled in a familiar place of the upper room. This was not a strange location but a room associated with fellowship, teaching, and prayer. Yet familiarity alone did not bring peace. The doors were shut. Fear had driven them inward not outward.
Though they were together, they were troubled. Though they were in a place of prior blessing, their hearts were unsettled. Fear has a way of sealing doors physically and spiritually. It closes mouths, dulls hearing, and hardens hearts. Many believers still assemble faithfully while inwardly barricading themselves against disappointment, grief, or uncertainty.
It was into this fearful gathering that Jesus came. He did not knock. He did not wait for permission. He did not require an opening. He simply stood in the midst. The risen Christ was not hindered by locked doors or guarded hearts. And when he spoke, his first words were not correction or clarification, but comfort: “Peace be unto you.”
Christ still enters fearful rooms. He still stands in the midst of troubled assemblies. And when he comes, he speaks peace. God promised through the prophet Jeremiah that his thoughts toward his people were thoughts of peace and not of evil (Jer. 29:11). That promise found its living expression in the words of Jesus to frightened disciples.
Peace in the Person of Christ
Jesus did not stop with words alone. He showed them his hands and his side. The wounds of Christ were not marks of defeat but tokens of a purchased salvation. As John Gill stated, “The wounds of Christ speak peace to the conscience, for they testify that justice has been satisfied.” There was evidence that death had been faced and conquered. The scars told the story. Sin had been judged. Justice had been satisfied. Death had been conquered. Their sorrow was turned into joy, and fear was turned into gladness. Thomas would later respond with worship when confronted with these same wounds, declaring, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Peace deepens when Christ is recognized for who he truly is.
Jesus then repeated the words, “Peace be unto you.” Repetition in Scripture is never accidental. Christ was not merely greeting his disciples; he was emphasizing his desire that their hearts and minds remain at peace (Philippians 4:7). As the Father had sent the Son, the Son was now sending them, equipped with the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).
Jesus then breathed on them, which echoed the creation of Adam, when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Here, the risen Christ imparts spiritual life and power, pointing to the ministry of the Holy Ghost. Peace is not produced by human resolve. It is the fruit of the Spirit of God at work within the believer. Outside of Christ and the Spirit, there is no lasting peace, comfort, or joy (Galatians 5:22). Ultimately, we are reminded here that peace is not the absence of suffering; rather, the absence of peace is suffering.
Peace in the Precious Word of Christ
John concludes his retelling of events by explaining why these things were written. The word of God was given so that men might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, they might have life through his name. Peace flows from this life.
The word of God is not merely informative, but transformative. When the word of Christ dwells richly within the believer (Colossians 3:16), faith is strengthened, assurance is settled, and peace becomes the governing condition of the mind and spirit. Doubt thrives where scripture is neglected. Peace flourishes where truth is believed.
Faith rests on what God has said about his Son. That faith produces life. That life produces peace. The peace Jesus spoke in a locked room still echoes through the written word today, offering rest to every heart willing to believe.
How to experience the peace of God in your life
John 20:19–23
Peace is one of the most universally desired experiences. Nations pursue it through diplomacy, strength, and strategy, yet history repeatedly shows how fragile and temporary those rememberable peace agreements can be. Scripture identifies peace as the “desire of all nations” (Haggai 2:7), because peace is not merely a political condition, it is a spiritual necessity.
Every heart, home, and house of God (local church) desires peace. We are either shaped by it's presence or troubled by its absence. We depend upon it to function and operate in a spirit of unity rather than division. The peace men long for cannot be manufactured by circumstances, isolation, or optimism. Jesus was clear when he spoke to his disciples before the cross: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). The peace Christ gives is of a different kind altogether. It is not dependent upon outward calm but upon inward assurance. It is not the removal of fear but the triumph over it.
Peace in the Presence of Christ
John records that on the evening of the resurrection day, the disciples were gathered together in fear. They had assembled in a familiar place of the upper room. This was not a strange location but a room associated with fellowship, teaching, and prayer. Yet familiarity alone did not bring peace. The doors were shut. Fear had driven them inward not outward.
Though they were together, they were troubled. Though they were in a place of prior blessing, their hearts were unsettled. Fear has a way of sealing doors physically and spiritually. It closes mouths, dulls hearing, and hardens hearts. Many believers still assemble faithfully while inwardly barricading themselves against disappointment, grief, or uncertainty.
It was into this fearful gathering that Jesus came. He did not knock. He did not wait for permission. He did not require an opening. He simply stood in the midst. The risen Christ was not hindered by locked doors or guarded hearts. And when he spoke, his first words were not correction or clarification, but comfort: “Peace be unto you.”
Christ still enters fearful rooms. He still stands in the midst of troubled assemblies. And when he comes, he speaks peace. God promised through the prophet Jeremiah that his thoughts toward his people were thoughts of peace and not of evil (Jer. 29:11). That promise found its living expression in the words of Jesus to frightened disciples.
Peace in the Person of Christ
Jesus did not stop with words alone. He showed them his hands and his side. The wounds of Christ were not marks of defeat but tokens of a purchased salvation. As John Gill stated, “The wounds of Christ speak peace to the conscience, for they testify that justice has been satisfied.” There was evidence that death had been faced and conquered. The scars told the story. Sin had been judged. Justice had been satisfied. Death had been conquered. Their sorrow was turned into joy, and fear was turned into gladness. Thomas would later respond with worship when confronted with these same wounds, declaring, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Peace deepens when Christ is recognized for who he truly is.
Jesus then repeated the words, “Peace be unto you.” Repetition in Scripture is never accidental. Christ was not merely greeting his disciples; he was emphasizing his desire that their hearts and minds remain at peace (Philippians 4:7). As the Father had sent the Son, the Son was now sending them, equipped with the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15).
Jesus then breathed on them, which echoed the creation of Adam, when God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Here, the risen Christ imparts spiritual life and power, pointing to the ministry of the Holy Ghost. Peace is not produced by human resolve. It is the fruit of the Spirit of God at work within the believer. Outside of Christ and the Spirit, there is no lasting peace, comfort, or joy (Galatians 5:22). Ultimately, we are reminded here that peace is not the absence of suffering; rather, the absence of peace is suffering.
Peace in the Precious Word of Christ
John concludes his retelling of events by explaining why these things were written. The word of God was given so that men might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, they might have life through his name. Peace flows from this life.
The word of God is not merely informative, but transformative. When the word of Christ dwells richly within the believer (Colossians 3:16), faith is strengthened, assurance is settled, and peace becomes the governing condition of the mind and spirit. Doubt thrives where scripture is neglected. Peace flourishes where truth is believed.
Faith rests on what God has said about his Son. That faith produces life. That life produces peace. The peace Jesus spoke in a locked room still echoes through the written word today, offering rest to every heart willing to believe.
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