On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus, said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:19-21 NIV).
In John 20:20 Jesus gave the disciples perfect vision. They were holed up behind locked doors, hiding from the enemy engulfed in fear. Can you relate? Have you ever been isolated in fear because you thought the Lord left you?
He hasn’t left. He hasn’t forgotten you. He wants to show up in the midst of your pain and fear and he’ll walk through locked doors to get to you. If he did it for the disciples, he’ll do it for you, too!
It’s strange though. When the Lord shows up, we don’t always recognize him.
The disciples walked closely with the Lord for three years in ministry, and yet even they didn’t realize it was him at first. Does that make you feel better? The disciples were human just like us and it took a little convincing to align their faith. Jesus had to prove himself first. It wasn’t until he showed them his scars that they were convinced it was really him speaking to them, but when they “saw the Lord”, they were overjoyed. They needed the joy for their journey because the Lord was sending them. He’s sending you, too.
You can’t have perfect vision for your future without the joy of “seeing” him in your own life. Thankfully, he wants to prove himself to you also. If he empowered the disciples in the midst of their anxiety, I believe he’ll empower you. He’ll walk past your own locked doors of fear to prove himself because he wants to give you 20-20 vision.
What do you fear today? What’s holding you back? Hand it over to the one who has perfect insight. He wants to take your fear and transform it into a perfect vision for your future.
Love this! Thanks for the great reminder!
I think everyone fears being alone. I mean, eispceally if one stays in a relationship for a long time, they fear that they’ve become too old and can’t find another spouse and might not be able to for the duration of their lives. It could also be out of habit. I know a couple who refuses to break up even though their dying to out of habit. They pardon the other because it’s been pestering them for so long they just ignore it. There are probably many more reasons other that loneliness.