Peace in the Chaos

Happy Wednesday, Everyone. 😊 Have you ever been in a place where you were feeling like all was chaos and then, suddenly, there was Jesus? Maybe it was a physical ailment or an emotional trauma. Maybe it was an event that rattled you to your core. If so, then you somewhat understand the context of our passage for this week.

This passage takes place in the upper room, where the disciples have gathered on the first Easter Sunday. Two of the disciples have returned from Emmaus where they met the Risen Jesus face to face – revealed to them by the breaking of bread after He had walked with them on the road. Others have seen the evidence of the empty tomb and heard reports from the women of encounters with the Risen Jesus. So much chaos and mixed emotions. Are the stories true? Was Jesus really alive?

Then Jesus arrived in the midst of them. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus tells them to be at peace, it’s Him. I wonder how long it took them to realize it was really Jesus. From the verses that follow, it sounds like He had to do some convincing. And even then, we are told that at the Ascension, some still doubted.

Jesus does this for us, too. In the midst of the chaos that comes into our lives, when we aren’t sure where to go or what to believe, He enters into our chaos with a promise of peace. Diagnoses, fear, loved ones battling cancer or other ailments, anxiety about the future, all of these bring chaos into our hearts and lives.

But just like the disciples, we can count on the Presence of Jesus in our lives to bring us the Peace that only He can bring. We are told to not be afraid because He is with us.

How have you felt the Presence of Jesus in the midst of chaos in your life? How has that Presence helped you to feel at peace with the circumstances in which you find yourself? Does that peace help you to feel like all is well, or is it enough to know that Jesus is walking the journey with you and is providing His strength and support for you?

Lots to ponder from an amazing passage from Luke, don’t you think?

Blessings and Love, 😊 Ceri