21 Days of DiscipleshipSample

Peace, Power, and a Campfire

Guess what?!? In the greatest comeback of all time, Jesus is alive!! He did not stay dead; He walked out of the tomb and into a garden. It’s a comeback of epic proportions and a link back to Genesis. God created this perfect world for us to live in and placed the first people in a garden called Eden. Now, Jesus has launched restoration of all creation back to God and He walks into this garden as the first born of a new Eden! So cool.

So in John 20, we see Jesus start appearing to His disciples on different occasions. What’s really cool to note is that Jesus intentionally meets them where they are, fills them up, then sends them out.

As Jesus followers, we cannot give what we have not received. We can’t pour out, if we haven’t been filled. This is simply a fact. You’ll never get water from an empty pitcher! So let’s receive what Jesus has to offer, specifically, His peace and power.

When Jesus just casually phases through a locked door, the disciples are understandably freaked out. So, Jesus first offers peace. We may not have people coming through our walls, but we do have pandemics and presidential elections and personal problems that can also be pretty freaky. In other words, we still need His peace!

The beautiful thing about this process is the order. It’s not power then peace, but rather peace then power. Jesus did this intentionally, knowing that power combined with chaos is a recipe for disaster. It is literally like pouring gasoline on an open campfire. The potential for problems and pain is off the charts! So Jesus first calls us to receive His peace. That’s like the protective ring around the fire. 

Now, when you add power, the fire can burn brighter and hotter. The Holy Spirit is that power that allows us to shine brighter and pursue Jesus more passionately, to the benefit of everyone around us.

Receiving peace and power from God prepares and propels us to move toward others! Jesus said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” John 20:21 NLT

Challenge: Have you allowed Jesus to fill you up so He can send you out? How can you intentionally receive the peace and power Jesus offers you today? Journal your answers.