Lord of Peace 

God on Monday
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Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:26b-28) 

Reflection

When Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, the first word he declares over them is ‘peace’. That peace came at a cost. Before Jesus’ rising came his descending - into rejection, isolation, and death. His suffering was not only psychological but physical, visible and tangible. This is what turned Thomas’ unbelief into his confession ’My Lord and my God!’.

As with Thomas, so with us: Jesus offers a peace that will transform our uncertainty into faith and trust. This is such good news, especially as today’s world faces so much conflict, social media pressure, anxiety and depression.

But that peace can be hard for us to find, not least in our work. We can feel out of control, perhaps through relational breakdown, inner doubts and insecurities about ourselves, our performance, and how we are perceived. 

Surrendering to Christ and receiving his peace can be helped through the use of posture. This could be deciding to pray on our knees, or opening our hands as we symbolically let go of unhelpful things or desires in our lives.

We can also incorporate various habits and structures into our routines to help us connect more intimately with God. Times of silence and prayer, for instance, or doing breathing exercises to worship music, or connecting with God in nature.

As we give ourselves fully to God, our lives demonstrate our belief that Jesus is truly risen from the dead; that he is our ‘Lord and our God’.

God never gives a lifetime of peace, all at once; peace comes moment by moment as we learn to depend on, and trust in, God.

Response

Take ten minutes to reflect on what it means to have Jesus as your ‘Lord and God’. Write down some ways in which Jesus’ lordship can be seen in your life by those you live and work with. What practices could you include in your day to enjoy God’s peace more deeply?

Prayer

Thank you Jesus that you were willing to willing to suffer and die for our peace. In making you Lord of our lives, help us to receive your peace every moment of every day, and to share it with those around us. Amen.

This Week's Author

God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.  

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