John 20:19-23

 
From John Chapter 20 NIV
 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
 21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
 
I made two Easter cards this evening and used portions of this passage and got to thinking about it.
 
First, the doors were locked for fear of the Jews.  My heart is locked for fear of... sometimes I'm not sure.  But it certainly is fear.  Christ stood in the midst of them.  The locked doors didn't keep Him out!
 
Second, He said "Peace be with you".  Remember - He is God and when He says "Let there be light." there is light.  And it is good.  So I think, when Jesus says "Peace be with you." There is peace, and it is good.
 
Third, He showed the disciples it was really Him.  He gave them evidence of His presence.
 
Fourth, the disciples REJOICED when they saw Him.
 
My heart is locked.  But Jesus enters.  He speaks Peace.  He shows me His presence.  And when He does, I rejoice to see Him. 
 
Jesus, come into the dark places.  Pass through the locks, bars, and stone walls of fear.  Show me Your presence.  And let me rejoice!
 
And that's just looking at the first paragraph.  The second is loaded and it's too late in the evening now for me to look at it.