Alive - by Dave Smith

esponse to a perceived threat or potentially dangerous situation that
enables us to respond correctly, releasing adrenaline when we need
it. But there are many unhealthy fears that can rob us of our peace
and can become a prison that we can’t break free from. Whatever
the sources of fear and anxiety, the result is that we often struggle to
enjoy deep peace and wellbeing.
How can we get free from paralysing fear and anxiety? The answer
is not found by looking within (as is often suggested), nor by looking
without (trying to find peace in the affirmation of others) but by turning
to the one who is, by his very nature, the source of all peace. Just
like our daughter’s fears were dissipated by the presence of
someone who loved her, who was bigger and stronger than her, so
you and I can be freed by the presence of one who loves us
unconditionally and who wants to come to us, to calm our worries and
free us from our fears: Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
This was the experience of the disciples as they encountered the
risen Jesus on the first Easter Sunday evening. Bear in mind what
they had just experienced. During the previous week, they’d
witnessed their teacher unjustly tried, cruelly tortured and brutally
crucified. They may also have been in a state of guilt that most of
them had abandoned Jesus even before he got to the cross
(Matthew 26:56). What’s clear from our John 20 passage is that they
were overcome with an overriding feeling of fear. Their leader had
been killed: were they going to be next? Hence Jesus’ first words to
them – ‘Peace be with you’ – were clearly intended to reassure his
grieving, shocked and fearful disciples that everything was now OK,
that he was with them, risen from the dead and in charge.
To deal with their fear, Jesus gave his startled disciples ‘solid’ proof
that he was alive, showing them his hands and side (v20). In the