BOLTED DOORS

DAY 143 OF 365 IN 2021

John 20:19 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!

What was the highlight of this encounter should have been Jesus appearing out of nowhere into the midst of the disciples. Yet, what sticks out even more is rather the fact that the disciples were bolted shut behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. In truth, our stories are not always very different, in that, we also shut doors in our lives on the very same account and for the very same reasons, because we are afraid.

There are however some things to still ponder on: had Jesus not found a way past those shut doors, what would have happened to the disciples? Would they have stayed in hiding for all time? Would they have become the ambassadors of the Gospel as they did?

Beloved, regardless of the permutations, Jesus presented himself right at the seat of their fear, spoke peace and entrusted to them the mission as the father had given him. In our fear, we sometimes become like the disciples and shut down multiple entry points for opportunities in our lives. In such moments, we need Jesus to walk past the bolts on our doors and introduce us to His peace.

Above all, we need the Holy Spirit to be breathed on us – to become the initiator of our courage so we can unlock the doors behind which we are bolted.

#sly