Locked Doors

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.  As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.

John 20:19-26 NLT

There they were behind locked doors, afraid that the same leaders who killed Christ would kill them. Totally understandable, right? What a horrific experience! Grief-stricken. Confused. So afraid... Then Jesus showed up! What a great time of rejoicing it must have been!! 

Imagine having someone restored to you who you thought was gone forever! Everything was changed! Everything He said was true - they had living proof!! The Messiah!! Then He said to them, "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." 

Eight days later... the Scripture reads... The doors were locked... Pastor Alan asked the question, "If everything changed, why hasn't anything changed?"  What has God said to us? Are we still behind the locked doors of our hearts and minds? 

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Son came to set the captives free! Fill our hearts and minds with the boldness and courage of our freedom. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen