Have you ever had a period of time when you were afraid, really afraid?
Maybe you fought during a military conflict. Maybe you have faced a traumatic life-threatening illness or lived with a loved one who has. It could be that you have had to face severe weather conditions that threatened your life and your home or serve as a first responder.
Then you know the intense fear that the disciples were feeling less than one week after the resurrection of Christ. Life for the followers of the Lord was still very pensive. They huddled together behind locked doors.
They knew the Romans were spreading rumors that they had stolen Jesus body to make it look like He rose from the dead. If pursued by the soldiers the disciples could be killed on the spot. The mob that had rioted and cried “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” was only now beginning to disperse in Jerusalem but who were they among so many.
Living daily with all this apprehension, life was not normal and who knew when or if it ever would be again. This was the life of the disciples and this was their mindset in John 20. We see them first on the day of the resurrection.
” The day was Sunday, and that same evening the followers were together. They had the doors locked because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” 20 As soon as he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the followers saw the Lord, they were very happy.
21 Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. It was the Father who sent me, and I am now sending you in the same way.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:19-22 ERV
But not all the disciples were there. Thomas was missing. A week later Jesus appears to them again. They are still behind locked doors and Jesus greeting is the same – peace!
“A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” John 20:26-29 ERV
What is it that has you behind locked doors? What has your focus? Do you feel alone and abandoned? What has robbed your peace? Thomas needed to see the physical before he was willing to believe that Jesus was still there, still in control, still in a place of power.
Jesus words to Thomas are addressed to us, ““You believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!” We’re the ones who are in the place of believing without physically seeing.
One week after Easter, I want to encourage you – Be not afraid. Peace be with you, you have been given the Holy Spirit and He is the comforter, the helper, our advocate!
We have Jesus’ word, it does not fail – we are blessed!