Peace Be With You

While they were talking about this, 

Jesus himself stood among them 

and said to them, 

“Peace be with you.”

(from Luke 24:36b-48)

Each Sunday my pastor tells us to turn to a person near us and say, “Peace be with you,” a greeting we all say.

Some disciples were discussing the facts about the risen Lord and how they saw a connection between Moses, the prophets, and the Scriptures.

Their conversation included Jesus’ ministry, focus on table ministry, and their experience of the resurrected Jesus. 

When Jesus walked with the disciples and said,” peace be with you,” it was more than a customary welcome.

Jesus standing with them continues sharing the message salvation to disciples gathered after his death.

This greeting connects a wish for common well-being, and is also related to the Hebrew notion of shalom, indicating social relations and justice.

“Peace be with you” is also a reminder Christians are commissioned to forgive sins which can sometimes mean salvation.

So, when Jesus greets someone with “Peace be with you,” it has the possibly of a greater meaning than merely a customary welcome.

For me, the hope in this exchange with Jesus and the disciples is that as Christians greet each other by passing the Peace of Christ, we can gather around the table of salvation, break the bread and share the cup knowing Jesus is alive in the world even with all the brokenness.