We were made by God to experience God's peace i.e. his unqualified well being (v 19, 21, 26). Peace is not just no war, no personal conflict or relaxing at the beach. We can have Jesus’ peace despite the persecution of the world (v19).

The peace of Jesus comes from receiving the Holy Spirit (v22) who empowers all believers to be sent out into the world for gospel mission. The heart of this mission is to communicate the gospel of the forgiveness of sins (v23) through the death of Jesus for our sins (John 1:29).

Thomas’ scepticism about Jesus was not a place of peace for him. Notice the change in Thomas from unsettled doubt (v24) to settled peace and worship of Jesus (v28), when he believed. If you have doubts, don't just accept that you have to live with them, like a chronic pain. Seek the truth of Jesus and find his peace. Stop doubting and believe! Thomas moved from doubting to worshipping Him as “my Lord and my God”.

We find peace by believing that Jesus is God's rescuer, the Son of God. Thereby we receive eternal life now, and in the age to come (v31).

Geoff Milton | Locum