In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were fathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. After eight days, His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!” John 20:19-20, 24, 26
My words…
Following Your death, Jesus, Your disciples huddled in a locked room, fearing those responsible for killing You. Weighed down by grief, guilt, and confusion, they sought comfort in each other’s company. Questions without answers caromed off the walls.
And then, there You were. As if a locked door could keep You out. (Nice move, by the way!) The disciples did not comprehend that You had dismantled everything they knew about death. They weren’t thinking about death at all. You were in the room! Alive and speaking!
“Peace to you!” A perfect greeting, undoubtedly one they had heard You speak a hundred times on a hundred different occasions. Peace. Before You showed up, peace was woefully absent in the room. You spoke it into existence, just as You did at creation when You said, “Let there be light.”
Peace crowded out grief. Peace squashed guilt. It eclipsed confusion. A good thing since what You had planned for them could not be accomplished under such a cloud. Then, You repeated this scene since Thomas missed it the first time.
Your peace empowered the disciples to unlock the door. When they did, fear waiting to enter was overpowered by Your peace breaking out. They went out proclaiming Your peace so believers would never look at death the same again. I know I don’t.
I pray You step inside locked rooms (hearts) of those who are fearful of what lay outside the door. Fill them with Your peace, the by-product when death’s shackles are snapped by the Son of God.
