Mensa Otabil - Jesus Comes Into Our Midst
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Welcome to a brand new week. We’ve had Easter celebrations, but the story is not over. Throughout this week, we will be discussing the appearances of Jesus Christ after His resurrection. We begin with John’s Gospel, chapter 20, verse 19.
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, «Peace be with you.»
Jesus stood in their midst on a very momentous day for them. This is the first day of the week; it is Sunday. The day began early in the morning when the women brought the message that Jesus Christ was risen. Peter and John raced to the place; they found the grave clothes, but there was no body of Jesus. Then some of the women reported that they had seen Jesus. You can imagine what had been happening to the disciples since early morning. Just that evening, two men had come from Emmaus and reported that Jesus had met them. They were discussing all of these things: Is it real? Is it possible?
So, the disciples were now gathered in a place, likely the upper room where they probably had the Last Supper. This would be a familiar place for them. They are gathered, and the door is shut. The passage states that the door is shut because of fear of the Jews. Among the disciples, two things are playing out: fear of the Jews-since Jesus has been crucified, will they come for us next? -and faith building up because they’ve had the message that He is alive. They are hearing all these stories, but they can’t confirm it.
So, there are two things playing out: fear and faith. I don’t know if this is familiar to you; sometimes both fear and faith struggle to dominate you. There is a fear in you, but something about the Word of God, a promise you’ve heard, is beginning to build faith in you. At the same time, you’re not too sure; it’s too good to be true. Can I believe it? Can I trust it? That’s where the disciples were.
Then Jesus came and stood in the midst of them. He didn’t knock; He didn’t break down the door; He walked through it or just appeared. We don’t know whether He walked through the door or if they simply saw Him in their midst. But for some reason, He bypassed their precautions; He bypassed their fears. Jesus was demonstrating, «What you are afraid of, I am victorious over.» That is what we have to remember: What we are afraid of, He is victorious over. He is also showing them that they can’t shut Him out of their lives; He will come in, and He will minister to them. The doors could not lock Him out, and the fear of the Romans could not lock Him out. He came through the doors, manifesting that, in His resurrected state, nothing could hinder Him from reaching His disciples. He would always get to where they are, and nothing could stop Him.
When Jesus came, the first words He spoke to them were, «Peace be upon you.» Can you imagine the calm, the sigh of relief? He didn’t come to rebuke them; He didn’t come angry that they denied Him, or that one of them betrayed Him. He is not throwing tantrums because they left Him alone on the cross; He simply says, «Peace be upon you.» May the same Jesus bring peace into our troubled homes this day.
Let us pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, thank You for the reality of Christ’s resurrection. I receive Your peace into my life. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.