Daily Devotion – April 18, 2020 – Erin Bjerke
John 20:19-23
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were 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 his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
We often read this paragraph as kind of an introduction to the story commonly referred to as “Doubting Thomas.” Undoubtedly, there is a lot to learn from that story, but when it appeared in the lectionary the Sunday after Easter, I realized that I didn’t want to miss this first part.
Jesus’ disciples have locked themselves into a house because they are afraid. Does this sound familiar? Lately I have found myself wondering when God will just stop this pandemic. I’ve prayed many times to God to just stop this illness. Won’t he? The world is suffering right now, and we’re scared! While Jesus’ disciples were practicing social distancing for a different reason, their predicament was very similar to our current one. What did Jesus do? He used his God-powers to enter the house to be with them and he said, “peace be with you.” Jesus didn’t take away the immediate danger that was lurking outside the door. Instead, he gave them his peace and the Holy Spirit. He also must have given them the courage to do what they needed to do next (he sent them out to proclaim the Good News) because, as we know from later in the New Testament, they went.
What is Jesus doing now? I think it will be a long time before we can fully answer that question, if ever, but when you find yourself getting frustrated or discouraged by the current situation, ask God what he’s up to. Remember that God makes order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and life out of death.
Prayer: Jesus, what are you up to? We’re scared and uncertain right now. Please give us your peace, and give us eyes to see past our fear and look toward what you are doing. Tune our hearts to your Spirit, and give us the courage to trust you. Amen.
