David Bahn – Reflections

Luke 24:36-43

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” ³⁷ But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. ³⁸ And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” ⁴⁰ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate before them.

One of my favorite movies is Independence Day. I watch it every year on July 4; it’s a tradition with me. In that movie, Randy Quaid’s character, Russell Case says, “I’ve been sayin’ it. I’ve been sayin’ it for ten … years. Ain’t I been sayin’ it, Miguel? Yeah, I’ve been sayin’ it.” This happens when Case is vindicated about having been abducted by aliens 10 years earlier. Vindicated, now he is making his point about having been right all these years, but no one believed him. I get that.

But not Jesus; when he greets his disciples with a word of kindness, “Peace to you!” Jesus has a message to convey, but it’s not combative or petty. If Jesus spoke Aramaic his greeting would be similar to the Hebrew, “Shalom!.” It is like that but so much more. “Shalom” is a powerful word, rich in meaning, and filled with good will, conveying a desire for wholeness, favor, and blessing. It can be used simply as a greeting, so that it is like an Aggie saying, “Howdy!” or a New Yorker saying, “How ya doin’!

But context is everything. Jesus was dead, but is now alive. These people had hoped so much in him, but their hopes – so they thought – were so dead. Jesus had won their salvation. All was right with God. All that was needed – and still all that is needed today – is faith. In this case, Jesus’ greeting, “Peace to you!” was an invitation to faith. It requires nothing from them or us, except that we believe. Through faith that peace becomes ours.

Perhaps there is a place in your life where that greeting of peace would be most welcome. Maybe you know where you need the peace of God most fully. Truth be told we all need that peace somewhere. And here Jesus is, offering it to us in a word. I hope to let that wash over me today in a rich and refreshing way. How about you?