Daily Devotionals
Devotional: 4th of Cheshvan
Although the doors were locked, Yeshua came, stood among them and said, "Shalom Aleykhem!" (John 20:26).
What did Yeshua say to his disciples after he rose from the dead? The King James translation tells us that he said, "Peace be unto thee." That's a fine translation, but we know that the Messiah didn't speak King James English. He spoke Hebrew. What we read in our Bibles is clearly a translation of the Hebrew greeting that is spoken in Israel to this day—Shalom Aleykhem!
The Hebrew word shalom means much more than the English word "peace." Shalom can mean completion, fulfillment, fullness, soundness, healthiness, wholeness, prosperity and well-being. Our people have greeted each other with the words "shalom aleykhem" throughout the ages and on all occasions. But it's very significant that the Scriptures specifically record the Messiah speaking these words after the resurrection, for it is only by the death and resurrection of Messiah that we truly can receive completion—shalom.
The Hebrew word aleykhem means, "to you," and it's plural. So when Messiah says aleykhem, he's giving the power and completion of shalom to every "you" who will receive it. The Lord is saying to us right now, "Shalom aleykhem!" Let us receive his beautiful greeting, and all the blessings of life, fullness and completion therein. Shalom aleykhem!
...receive the powerful blessing of the words of Messiah in my life. I will walk in his shalom—his life, fullness, wholeness, completion and joy.
JC
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