April 7, 2014 – Living Christ is key to our peace – John 20:19-23

The followers of Jesus were experiencing a lot of emotions following his death – confusion, grief, and fear. Into the space of those emotions, the Risen Christ comes. The presence of Christ is the key to our peace.

John 20:19-23
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.