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I am struck by a stark contrast in the greetings of Jesus before the resurrection and after. Whether he is calling the first disciples or healing the daughter of Jairus, or walking to them across the turbulent waters, before the resurrection, Jesus can most often be heard saying to his disciples, “Do not be afraid!” But after the resurrection, he simply says, “Peace be with you.”
I think it is very important for us to pay attention to this change of greeting and what it means for us Christians, especially when so much of human interactions today now take place against a backdrop of fear—fear of infection, fear of overwhelming our health care system, fear of unemployment, of economic collapse, etc.
First, we need to talk about fear. Fear can be healthy. Healthy, rational fear is essential for survival. It keeps us from naively petting the grizzly bear or straying too close to the edge of the cliff. Much of what we are afraid of at present in society is healthy and rational. It helps us make good, rational decisions to prevent the spread of this little microscopic monster and the dire consequences that could follow.
Nevertheless, even if the present phenomenon is healthy, rational fear, it is vitally important that we do not let even this fear define us. That is not our call as disciples of Christ, witnesses of the resurrection.
Before the resurrection, there was a lot to be afraid of in the first century. Life was a lot shorter and tougher. Much of this was a reflection that in the spiritual realm, things were not rightly ordered. The relationship between God and humanity was gravely injured as a result of original sin. Thus, the devil and his minions had a lot more influence.
Enter Jesus the Christ, who by his passion, death, and resurrection, reconciled all creation to the Father. He not only restored the relationship between God and humanity, but elevated it to a level of unimaginable intimacy. So much so, that we can now enter into a spiritual and real communion with the Divine. In the most important relationship of all, things are as they should be. Thus, the peace Christ gives is deeper and greater than that of the world. It’s a subtle, but important distinction. It is one thing to be free from fear. It is a much greater thing to be at peace. Yet, by the very grace of the resurrection of Christ, even in the midst of a fearful world, we Christians proclaim the hope of the resurrection so that we may all move from “Do not be afraid.” to “Peace be with you.” The world needs us to do so now more than ever.