John 20:19-23 (KJV):

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 3Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

“Peace be onto you”, what can this mean? Does it mean what the world understands by “peace”, or does it have a deeper meaning? An answer can be found in 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33 where we read:

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

Peace as explained here clearly seems to indicate “correct understanding”, “unity of faith”, “common doctrine”, “common belief”, “clarity”, “no doubt”. When Christ walked into the room where the Apostles were hiding He told them “peace be onto you”, meaning “let there be no doubt” or “here is the truth and nothing else is truth”. In other words “peace be onto you” means “let there be no confusion about this”! Let’s quote St John again in this context:

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, “let there be no doubt” And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord (let there be no doubt, stop questioning, have peace of mind that I am the resurrected Christ, showing His apostles His pierced side and hands). Then said Jesus to them again, “let there be no doubt”: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (let there be no doubt, here I am sending you as My Father had sent Me and accept this with no doubt in your hearts)

What is the Peace of Christ? It’s not what the world understands by “peace”. No. It is the confirmation and certainty and comfort that one feels when the same one possesses the Truth!

Peace be onto you!