SHUT DOORS…
Why does it happen like this? We spend time with Jesus – we believe – our faith strengthens – and then times of darkness come and we shut ourselves in behind the doors of our greatest fears.
They had seen the best of times with Jesus. They had also experienced the worst of times through the crucifixion. But then on the morning of the first day of the week – Mary had seen Him – the risen Lord. She had told the others – and they had seen the empty tomb. They were told (Mark 16:6) that He would go before them and meet them in Galilee (home turf for most of the disciples – familiar territory – a place of comfort). But then evening fell – and as the darkness increased so did their fears – and fear has a way of closing us in behind shut doors.
I think that it was for this reason – the fear – that Jesus came to them in Jerusalem rather than first meeting them in Galilee. After all His first words to them were “PEACE be with you.” (John 20:19) They needed His reassurance. They needed His peace in a time of turmoil and fear.
We all need reassurance from time to time – when our fears close in on us – when we just want to hide out. That’s when we need the comfort that comes from knowing – He is going BEFORE us. He will meet us – be there waiting there when we arrive. His desire is our peace – it is His gift to us. He has a plan and He will reveal it to us in His time – at His place.
