Peace to the Hiding Place
OPENING PRAYER:
Prince of Peace, speak into the locked rooms of my heart where fear has kept me isolated. Break through my defenses with Your presence and breathe life into the places where I've been holding my breath, waiting for things to fall apart.
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, 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." John 20:19-20 (NIV)
This encounter happened on resurrection Sunday evening. The disciples had heard reports from Mary Magdalene and the women that Jesus was alive, but they were still hiding behind locked doors. They feared the same authorities who had crucified Jesus would come for them next. Into this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, Jesus simply appeared.
REFLECT:
The doors were locked. Not just closed, locked. The disciples had barricaded themselves in, trying to protect themselves from a hostile world outside. They had witnessed the resurrection of their hope when Jesus died, and now even the reports of His resurrection couldn't fully break through their fear. They were hiding, and who could blame them? Everything they'd staked their lives on had seemingly collapsed. Pastor Carter's message reminded us that for three days, it looked like the crimson thread had ended, like death had the final word. These disciples were living in that terrible space between crucifixion and belief.
Then Jesus showed up. Not with a rebuke for their fear, not with disappointment in their doubt, but with peace. "Peace be with you." He didn't wait for them to get their act together, to stop being afraid, or to unlock the doors. He came through the locked doors to meet them where they were. And He showed them His hands and His side, the proof that He really was the crucified and risen Lord. The resurrection means Jesus meets us in our hiding places. He comes through whatever barriers we've erected. The same power that raised Him from the dead is powerful enough to break through our fear, our shame, our self-protection. The disciples went from cowering behind locked doors to becoming bold witnesses who would turn the world upside down. That's what resurrection power does.
APPLY:
Jesus said "Peace be with you" twice in this encounter. What would it look like for you to actually receive His peace? Identify one specific fear that has you hiding, maybe it's fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of what others think, or fear that you've gone too far for God to forgive you. Write it down. Then write "Peace be with you" over that fear. Spend time in prayer, inviting Jesus to speak peace into that specific area. Ask Him to show you one small step you can take to stop hiding and start living in the freedom of His resurrection.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for not waiting until I'm brave enough to open the door. Thank You for coming through my locked places with peace I don't deserve and grace I can't earn. Help me receive Your peace and let it push out the fear that's been keeping me hidden.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.
CONTINUED READING:
Baptism as Your Next Step
Jesus came to the disciples behind locked doors, but He didn't leave them there. After commissioning them, He sent them out. Baptism is your public declaration that you're done hiding, that you're stepping out from behind locked doors to follow Jesus openly. It's an act of courage that says, "I'm not going to let fear keep me from identifying with Christ." If you're ready to step out from hiding, Pathway wants to help you take that step. You can connect with us at pathwaychurch.com/contact or speak with your campus pastor. Peace is waiting on the other side of obedience.