HE IS RISEN! JESUS IS ALIVE!

Monday, April 5, 2010

John 20: 19-20

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came JESUS and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, PEACE BE UNTO YOU. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD.

There are some images in these verses which carry a symbol to us about how we react in the time of trouble. The first thing that normally happens is to "shut the doors" of our heart for "fear". We tend to "shut out" the world around us and tremble in the darkness, afraid of what might be lurking outside the door. We might invite trusted friends to enter our darkness, but not for comfort, for companionship in our terror.

When JESUS enters into the darkness of the shut door of our heart, LIGHT drives away the darkness. When JESUS stands in the middle of our heart and the middle of the fellowship of friends, fear vanishes. When JESUS says "PEACE BE UNTO YOU", the storms of fear and confusion subside and there is calm beyond understanding. The Peace which comes when JESUS enters the chamber of our heart, though the door be closed, is Holy peace; it is the great shalom, shalom. This peace reaches every cell of the life, bringing light to every dark place and hope to every place of fear.

JESUS shows us evidence that this is really Him. He shows us His Hands and His side. He gives to us all the evidence that we need, in order to believe. Read the Word of the LORD and you will see all the facts and evidence you need in order to believe and to grow in faith.

When we see the LORD, revealed in His Glory, we will join the disciples in their great joy -

HALLELUJAH, HE IS RISEN! THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED!