The Locked Room
John 20:19-23
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!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
- Imagine yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples. You are gathered together behind locked doors. How does this fit in with what has happened earlier that day? What are you feeling?
- What changes when Jesus stands among you? Why? Is this what you expected from him?
- What does Jesus want you to do? What difference do Jesus’ words and actions here have?
- As Jesus’ disciple now, what do you currently fear?
- What do Jesus’ words of peace in this resurrection story mean for you?
- How do you think Jesus is “sending you” at present?
Read 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
How does it make you feel to know that what was true for Jesus will be true for you one day?
Going Home, Jesus Storybook Bible
Locked doors “didn’t stop Jesus. He just walked straight through the wall……This can’t be, they were telling themselves. It’s impossible. It’s not happening. But it was-right in front of them…
Jesus had a real body but this body was better. It had come through death and couldn’t get sick or be killed again. This body would live forever. Jesus had come back with a brand new body.
Not only were sad things coming untrue, the friends realised, they were becoming new again. Was God going to make everything new?”
Living Church is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland
PO Box 554, Carina Q 4152
07 3398 4333 | hello@living2.tcstage.com.au