Our Lord appeared among his disciples with remarkably gracious words: “Peace to you” (v. 36). This greeting is all the more striking when we consider to whom it was spoken. Only days earlier, these men had forsaken him and fled. Their bold promises had collapsed into fear. One had denied him three times, and all had left him to die alone.
Yet when Jesus stands among them, he speaks no word of rebuke. He utters no sharp reminder of their failure. Instead, he calmly and tenderly declares peace.
In this single word we glimpse the love of Christ that “passes knowledge.” It is his glory to forgive. He delights in mercy and is far more willing to pardon than we are to seek forgiveness. His heart is infinitely ready to put away sin. He is prepared to make scarlet stains white as snow. He will cast transgressions behind his back and remember them no more. Such free and undeserved forgiveness confounds the natural heart, but it is the very manner of Christ.
Who, then, need fear to come to such a Savior? No sinner has fallen beyond his mercy. No backslider is beyond his restoring grace. And who among Christ’s people can withhold forgiveness from others, when we ourselves have received such peace?
Prayer:
Gracious Lord Jesus,
you come to us not with condemnation but with peace. Thank you for forgiving our many failures and restoring us by your mercy. Quiet our fearful hearts, deepen our gratitude, and make us quick to forgive others as we have been forgiven. May your peace rule our lives for your glory. Amen.
2Cherish2Commend 
Excellent, thanks!