City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

¹⁹ 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.” ²⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” ²² And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses remind us that God shows up in our lives even in moments of fear and uncertainty. What’s more, He breathes new life and hope into the situation, causing us to walk in peace and victory. I love it! 

In the situation described in today’s portion of scripture, we see the disciples were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. They just lost their leader, the One in whom they were placing all their hope and to whom they dedicated their lives to follow. They just lost Him to a horrifying death on a cross. Now that His dead body was nowhere to be found, they feared they would be next. 

Can you just imagine how palpable the room must have been with the disciples’ confusion and terror? What comes in the scene to follow is a striking contrast: Jesus came and stood among them and said to them “Peace be with you” (v. 19). 

I love that all of this happens in the same sentence. It’s such an encouragement to know that we can experience God’s peace even in the middle of a storm. Jesus did not come there and condemn the disciples for being afraid. He said “Peace be with you.” He has conquered the shackles of sin and death. They were no longer in bondage to sin. They were ready to receive what comes next. 

Jesus then proceeded to show them the wounds in his hands and side, and they were glad when they saw Him. This gives us a clue of how we can maintain our joy even in a terrifying situation. We can remember what Jesus endured on the cross for us, and more importantly, we can celebrate His resurrection. There’s absolutely nothing that we’re facing that’s more horrific or unbearable as the cross Jesus bore for us. The fact that He endured the cross and overcame it should remind us that we have nothing to be afraid of. 

Jesus not only came to establish peace among the disciples, but He also breathed on them to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s ultimate gift to believers. The Holy Spirit is God’s personal guarantee that He won’t leave us hanging. Receiving the Holy Spirit means we get to experience a level of intimacy and closeness with Jesus that we could have never even dreamed of if Jesus was physically walking the earth. 

Enjoying God’s peace made available to us by Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and receiving the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives are two ways we can actively combat fear and cultivate faith in God. 

Application

How do you functionally deal with fear? Do you retreat into a locked room and shut everyone out like the disciples did? Or do you compensate for fear by trying to act tough? 

Whatever your coping mechanism for dealing with fear may be, one thing is clear from today’s scripture: Jesus will still come to us even when we’re afraid. No matter how debilitating your fears may be, take comfort in knowing that Jesus stands before you saying “Peace be with you.” Open yourself to hear what the Holy Spirit is whispering to your heart. 

Instead of being scared, rest in the satisfaction of knowing your heavenly Father has you covered. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting me in my fear, in my doubt, and in my sorrow. In the bleakest of times, you have never left my side. Awaken me to the hope I have in You. Holy Spirit, lead the way! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.