Peace to you.

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. 

Luke 24:36-43

The first thing that Jesus says to the disciples all together is, "Peace to you!" What a beautiful picture of what Jesus seeks to give us. He doesn't want us to be stricken with fear, worry, and doubt. We are to be filled with peace, knowing that Jesus is Lord and that he had accomplished victory over every sin in our lives; past, present, and future. Jesus knows that the disciples are going to be filled with fear upon seeing him and he so humbly reveals his humanity to them. He could have risen in any form and chose to reveal his wounds that marked his hands and feet. He asks them for food to show that he still feels humanly hunger, even though he has been raised from the dead. Jesus humbles himself so we can feel the comfort and peace that he exudes. I am so often filled with fear. Doubt. Worry. Anxiety. Insecurity. Uncertainty. blah. blah. blah. Jesus come before me and whispers sweet affirmations in my ear.

Nicole, you are worth it.

Nicole, I want you to be filled with peace.

Nicole, don't be scared of me.

Nicole, don't be scared of anything.

I have victory over it all.

And I love you.

I look at his hands and feet and am filled with relief, knowing my creator knows the weight of sin and brokenness. He knows it all too well. He knows the pain of hunger. He knows the hurt of betrayal. He knows the strength it takes to resist temptation. He knows anxiety and fear for what God the Father has planned for us. He knows all of these things and has conquered them all without flaw. I have nothing to fear, for Jesus is my savior. And he is victorious.