Luke 24:36-43

v. 36-43 "While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'  They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?  Look at my hands and my feet.  It is I myself!  Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.'  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet.  And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, He asked them, 'Do you have anything here to eat?'  They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it in their presence."

Before Jesus showed up here I am wondering if the 11 disciples were not a little irritated by the fact that Jesus had not come to them first.  Remember before He died they were fighting among themselves which one of them was the greatest.  All of them had turned away from Him which must have stung even more.  Jesus had shown Himself to women and some of the other disciples that were not in the core group.  I think Jesus did this to show that those that follow Him are sometimes confusing to the world.  The world thinks that the lowly couldn't possibly be on the fast track to Jesus.  We all have a place in the Kingdom. 

I think it is interesting that they thought they were seeing a ghost.  What else would have made sense at the time?  Yes, I believe there are ghosts.  Jesus even said that ghosts don't have flesh and bones so how could I think otherwise.  You might think that is crazy, but by now you are sensing a pattern with me:)  I think to be stuck on earth as a ghost because of anger or sadness that someone couldn't let go of while they were alive is one of the saddest things.   Who would want to stay here when you could go be with Jesus?  Jesus asked for food to show that He was not a ghost, yet He could appear and disappear at any moment.  He was giving them concrete evidence to something that was incomprehensible in their minds.

The first thing Jesus said to them was "Peace be with you."  Of all the things He could have said He wanted to point out peace. 

Jesus gave us peace to:

• keep from war between countries
• to stop hostilities
• be in a state of mutual harmony between people or groups (especially in personal relations)
• keep public order and security
• be free from strife or dissension
• be set free from the enemies grip
• know who He is and that we are greatly loved
• know that we have someone who fights for us

Are we doing this?  In many case no, we are failing miserably.  When we don't have peace we are open for attacks by the enemy.  Peace from God is something that is unequal to anything in this world.  He showed up to those that betrayed Him, those that ran away when there was uncertainty and those that would not stand up for Him in His trials.  He comes for us all.