Just before Jesus died on the cross, he cried out: "It is finished!" His work of guaranteeing eternal peace with God had been completed. That is why, after he rose from the dead, his first words to his disciples were: "Peace be with you!" He repeated these words three times so that his followers would know – without a shadow of doubt – that our peace totally depends on his death and resurrection. It has nothing whatsoever to do with our performance before or after we are saved.

R T Kendall, in his excellent book "Once Saved Always Saved", puts it this way: "Whoever, once truly believes that Jesus was raised from the dead, and confesses that Jesus is Lord, will go to heaven when they die, no matter what work (or lack of work) may accompany such faith" (Rm 10:9-10).

"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isa 53:6). Forgiveness is freely available. All that remains for human beings to do is to put their trust in Jesus and receive him as Lord and Saviour (Jn 1:11-13).

But the peace of Jesus is not only to give us inner assurance of his love and the certainty of being with him throughout eternity; it should also propel us into living every moment for him, and transforming the world around us.

Peter wrote: "Prepare your minds for action" (1Pt 1:13). Jesus said: "Go and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always" (Mt 28:18-20). So we find something dynamically motivational after each of the threefold blessings.

1. "Peace be with you" … THE EVIDENCE … "He showed them his hands and side … they were overjoyed". Christianity is an evidence-based faith. It is a trusting relationship of love, rest and peace with the living Lord Jesus.

2. "Peace be with you" … THE GOSPEL MESSAGE … "As the Father sent me I am sending you". As disciples, we must represent him well. He is full of grace, unconditional love, and truth. Our message must be one of peace, forgiveness, abundant life, freedom and joy; not one of judgment, fault finding, fear and condemnation.

3. "Peace be with you" … THE CONDITION … "[Thomas,] touch my hands and side; stop doubting and believe … blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed". The only condition is loving trust. "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isa 26:3). "Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name" (Ps 91:14-15).

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (Heb 13:20-21).