Embodying Christ's Peace: Healing, Presence, and Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Embodied Peace—Jesus’ Presence in Our Midst

The peace that Jesus offers is not abstract or distant; it is a peace that comes with His very presence, breaking into our lives even when we are locked away by fear, confusion, or trauma. Just as the disciples were shut in by their grief and uncertainty after the crucifixion, Jesus stood among them, uninvited yet fully present, offering Himself as the greatest blessing. His embodied peace assures us that no matter how closed off or overwhelmed we feel, Christ is able to enter our circumstances and bring us comfort, hope, and assurance. [28:01]

John 20:19-21 (ESV)
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel “locked down” by fear or uncertainty, and how can you invite Jesus’ embodied presence into that space today?

Day 2: Healing Through Christ’s Scars

Jesus did not hide the marks of His suffering; instead, He showed His disciples His hands and side, revealing the scars that testified to both His pain and His victory. In the same way, our own scars—what we have survived—can become sources of encouragement and healing for others. The peace of Christ is a peace that acknowledges our wounds, transforms them into testimonies, and calls us to minister to one another with vulnerability and truth. By His stripes, we are healed, and our scars can be a testament to God’s faithfulness. [37:17]

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Reflection: What is one “scar” in your life—a hardship you have survived—that you can share to encourage someone else this week?

Day 3: The Power of Showing Up

Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply to show up for one another. Jesus modeled this by appearing to His disciples in their time of need, and we are called to do the same for each other. Our physical presence, our willingness to be with others in their struggles and joys, brings encouragement, strength, and a tangible sense of God’s love. Whether it’s attending church, reaching out to a friend, or being present for someone in pain, showing up is a ministry in itself that cannot be replaced by anything virtual or distant. [42:15]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Reflection: Who is someone you can “show up” for this week—either in person or with a call or message—to offer encouragement and the peace of Christ?

Day 4: Peace with Mission—Sent to Be Witnesses

The peace Jesus gives is not just for our comfort; it is a peace with purpose, sending us out into the world as His witnesses. Just as the risen Christ commissioned His disciples, we are called to carry His peace into our homes, workplaces, and communities. This mission is rooted in the assurance that we are not alone—Jesus breathes His Spirit upon us and empowers us to share His love, hope, and healing with others. Our lives become a testimony to the world that Christ is alive and at work. [46:23]

John 20:21-22 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can share the peace and hope of Christ with someone outside your church family this week?

Day 5: Pausing for the Peace of Christ

In the midst of life’s chaos, Jesus invites us to pause and receive His peace—a peace that calms our minds, restores our souls, and assures us that we are never alone. Each day, we can intentionally seek the peace of Christ, asking Him to go before us, lead us, and fill us with His presence. This daily pause for peace is a spiritual practice that grounds us in God’s love and equips us to face whatever comes our way with confidence and joy. [01:12:31]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Take a moment today to pause, breathe, and pray for Christ’s peace to fill your heart—what difference does this make in your outlook or actions?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gather in the joy and hope of Eastertide, celebrating the risen Christ who is our peace, our sustainer, and our healer. In gratitude, we lift up prayers for our families, our church, and all those in need of healing—spiritual, emotional, and physical. We remember that by Christ’s stripes we are healed, and we ask for God’s healing presence to flow through our community, bringing restoration and comfort, especially to those who mourn or are burdened by loss.

As we reflect on the days following Easter, we recognize that the disciples themselves were locked away, gripped by fear and trauma after witnessing the crucifixion. Their hearts were torn between the pain of Good Friday and the hope of resurrection. Yet, in their locked room, Jesus appeared—uninvited, unexpected, and full of grace. He offered them not just words, but his very presence: “Peace be with you.” This peace is not abstract; it is embodied, tangible, and transformative. Jesus showed them his scars, not his wounds, teaching us that our own scars—what we have survived—can become testimonies of God’s faithfulness and sources of encouragement for others.

We are called to share this embodied peace with one another. Just as Jesus showed up for his disciples, we are invited to show up for each other, to be present in times of need, and to offer encouragement simply by being there. The peace of Christ is not meant to be hoarded behind locked doors; it is a peace with a mission. Jesus sends us out, just as the Father sent him, to be witnesses of his resurrection, to bring hope, healing, and joy to a world in need.

Our acts of generosity, our presence in worship, and our willingness to share our stories all become part of this mission. We celebrate the faithfulness of our church community, the impact of our shared ministry, and the ongoing call to serve and support one another. As we go forth, may we carry the peace of Christ into every situation, pausing each day to receive and share his embodied, missional peace.

Key Takeaways

1. Embodied Peace: The peace Jesus offers is not just a feeling or a concept, but his very presence among us. When he appeared to the disciples, he brought peace by being with them in their fear and confusion. This embodied peace reminds us that God meets us in our real circumstances, not just in our ideals or hopes. We are invited to experience and share this presence with others. [28:01]
2. Scars as Testimony: Jesus showed his disciples his scars, not his wounds, teaching us that what we have survived can become a source of encouragement for others. Our scars are reminders of God’s faithfulness and healing, and by sharing them, we offer hope to those still in the midst of their struggles. Vulnerability and honesty about our journeys can be powerful tools for ministry and community. [37:17]
3. The Power of Showing Up: Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply to show up for one another. Presence—physical, emotional, and spiritual—can be a profound encouragement, especially in times of difficulty or uncertainty. Just as Jesus broke into the disciples’ locked room, we are called to break through barriers and be present for each other, embodying Christ’s love. [42:15]
4. Peace with Mission: The peace of Christ is not meant to keep us comfortable or isolated; it is a peace that sends us out. Jesus commissions his followers to go into the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to be witnesses of his resurrection and agents of healing and hope. Our mission flows from the peace we have received, compelling us to serve, give, and share the good news. [46:23]
5. Pausing for Peace: In the midst of life’s chaos, we are invited to pause and receive the peace of Christ each day. This peace is holistic—touching our minds, bodies, and spirits—and equips us to face challenges with courage and joy. By intentionally seeking Christ’s peace, we become instruments of his shalom in our homes, workplaces, and communities. [72:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Thanksgiving and Praise
[04:30] - Prayers for Healing and Comfort
[11:48] - Extending Love to the Grieving
[15:20] - Welcoming the Holy Spirit
[18:00] - Eastertide Reflections
[23:18] - Sharing the Peace of Christ
[28:01] - Jesus Appears to the Disciples
[32:45] - Trauma, Lockdown, and Presence
[37:17] - Scars as Testimony
[42:15] - The Power of Showing Up
[46:23] - Peace with Mission
[51:59] - Celebrating Generosity and Mission
[68:10] - Offering Prayer
[72:31] - Benediction: Pausing for Peace
[74:21] - Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:19-23 (NIV) — > On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) — > But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Observation Questions

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after the resurrection, what was their emotional state and why were they behind locked doors? (John 20:19) [[28:01]]
What did Jesus do to assure the disciples of his identity and presence? (John 20:20) [[28:01]]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus showing his scars rather than his wounds? [[37:17]]
What mission did Jesus give to his disciples after offering them peace? (John 20:21) [[46:23]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to greet the disciples with “Peace be with you” in their moment of fear and trauma? What does this reveal about the kind of peace he offers? [[28:01]]
The sermon talks about “embodied peace”—peace that is not just a feeling but the presence of Jesus himself. How does this embodied peace differ from the world’s idea of peace? [[28:01]]
The pastor said that Jesus showed his scars as a testimony, not his wounds. What does it mean for our own stories and struggles to become testimonies for others? [[37:17]]
Jesus sends the disciples out “as the Father has sent me.” What does it look like for us to be sent out with the peace of Christ in our daily lives? [[46:23]]

Application Questions

The disciples were locked away in fear and confusion, but Jesus showed up in their midst. Is there an area of your life where you feel “locked away” or isolated? What would it look like to invite Jesus’ peace into that space this week? [[28:01]]
The sermon emphasized the power of simply “showing up” for others. Can you think of someone in your life who needs your presence right now—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? What is one practical step you can take to show up for them this week? [[42:15]]
Jesus showed his scars as a testimony of what he had survived. Is there a “scar” in your life—a past struggle or pain—that God might use to encourage someone else? Are you willing to share that story? Why or why not? [[37:17]]
The peace of Christ is not meant to be kept behind locked doors but shared with the world. What is one way you can bring Christ’s peace into your workplace, school, or neighborhood this week? [[46:23]]
The pastor encouraged us to “pause for peace” each day. What is one simple practice you can adopt to intentionally receive and share Christ’s peace in your daily routine? (For example: a short prayer, a moment of silence, or a daily reminder.) [[01:12:31]]
The sermon highlighted the importance of generosity and shared ministry. How does your giving—of time, resources, or encouragement—help bring healing and hope to others? Is there a new way you feel called to be generous this season? [[51:59]]
When you think about being “sent” by Jesus, does it feel exciting, intimidating, or something else? What support or encouragement do you need from this group to live out your mission this week? [[46:23]]

Sermon Clips

They were locked in a locked down we've all experienced lockdown in pandemic so we know a little bit of what a lockdown can be but this lockdown was a lockdown of emotion it was a lockdown of physical body it was a total shutdown based on the trauma that they have experienced they were torn they were torn in between the trauma on good friday and the triumph triumph the victory of the victory of the news that they've heard that jesus have resurrected what do they do with all these because on good friday they were traumatized to see their own savior their hand on the cross it left them with trauma. [00:29:19] (73 seconds) Edit Clip

The reason jesus is the embodied peace that he gives to us amen the reason jesus gives us his embodied peace how do we give us his embodied peace he showed them his hands and when he showed them his hands and his sides the bible says that they were overjoyed when they saw the lord they have heard that jesus is reason but it didn't move them they have heard the gospel preached to them the reason jesus is reason but when they had an encounter the personal encounter the encounter of the presence of the presence of jesus something shifted in their life. [00:36:56] (58 seconds) Edit Clip

When he breaks into our space he shows us the manifest presence he shows us the scars and not the wounds he shows us the things he's been through and what he has survived he breaks and shows us the scars that's why isaiah told us by his stripes we are healed every pain you and i go through has a reason and a testament for testimony because we embody each other and we encourage each other not with our wounds but with our scars. [00:39:09] (80 seconds) Edit Clip

How many seated here this beautiful sunday morning have been through something you have survived something in this life what you survived is your scar we are going through right now is your wounds but when god calls us he calls us to minister with the scars to show the trophies of victory how many know that somebody need to hear your trophy of victory somebody need to see your scar jesus shows us that we do not need to hide our scars your scars is a testament for somebody it's an encouragement. [00:40:31] (51 seconds) Edit Clip

Sometimes the greatest gifts we can give each other is to show up and jesus taught us how to show up how to invite yourself even when you are not invited and you go to places you bank your friends and tell them i invited myself i invited myself into your space i invited myself to send you this encouraging text i invited myself jesus is saying that the embodiment is so important that is why we can do church on on online and we can do church on zoom and everything thank god for internet but there is no way internet can replace the embodiment the the the bodily expression the physical connection we need each other. [00:42:38] (59 seconds) Edit Clip

Sometimes all you need to do is to show up and he showed us Francis Pope Francis showed us what it means to serve God even to the last last last breath because the last breath we heard on Sunday last Sunday is not the end is only a beginning of a new life so we show up with our presence and the last thing is that we Jesus the peace of Jesus is a peace with mission everybody say a peace with mission. [00:45:33] (46 seconds) Edit Clip

The reason he's showing up to them there's no only my peace is with you but my peace be with you is the peace that is sending peace is the peace that is leaving you to go and to be my witnesses sometimes people say doubting Thomas but it's not a we've realized it's not a a real you know description of who Thomas was because some scholars say that perhaps Thomas didn't have any evidence from the disciples they said they've seen the risen lord but there was no evidence evidence what evidence do we show that we have you seen the risen christ. [00:46:37] (60 seconds) Edit Clip

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