“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” 
John 20:19-20 

An amazing revelation came from a locked room where the disciples of Jesus hid in fear.

The disciples were hiding because the religious Jews had just celebrated as Jesus was hung on a cross. They knew that because of their association with Jesus, there was good reason to believe that this angry mob would come after them.

Don’t we see this in our culture? Any group threatened by Jesus’s message and authority causes many in the church to hide in fear. But something happens in the midst of the disciples’ legitimate fear that invites them into a reality greater than their reasons to hide in fear.

I love what Jesus does: He appears in front of them. He doesn’t knock; He appears. His presence among the fearful disciples completely changed the room. Who wouldn’t be glad to see the resurrected Lord?

Why did this happen? 

Well, by showing the disciples His wounds, He taught them that the one thing they should fear has already been defeated through His death on the cross and the power of His resurrection.

Far too often our fear is all about the here and now with no thought of eternity. Jesus says the one thing we should fear is separation from God for eternity. We will all stand before God to give an account for our lives. This is a terrifying thought unless you have a Savior with holes in His hands and side who has taken the wrath your sins deserve, forgiven you, and covered you in His grace.

“Peace be with you.” 

From our own “locked room” fears, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the One who brings peace that surpasses all understanding. He has conquered death, and in Him, we find the ultimate source of hope and security. 

Fear not, for our Savior is with us, and His perfect love casts out all fear.

Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH

DIG DEEPER
Read “Faith Vs. Fear” also by Bryant Wright