The Chasm of Unbelief

John 20:19-31

19-20

Why were the disciples glad?! because they knew that the Savior was in the room. They KNEW this was Jesus. There’s something awesome, truly awesome that happens when Jesus is in the room. The whole atmosphere changes.

In this moment the disciples knew two things.

Jesus was alive

Jesus was in control

You’re not going to rejoice in a ghost. You’re not going to rejoice in a dead man. And you’re not going to call someone Lord ….who doesn’t sit in authority. John could have used any word right there to call Jesus. He could have called him master. could have called him Jesus. Could have done like Mary had done and called him Teacher……

John called Him Lord. Because he recognized the same thing the disciples did - Jesus had no rivals. Jesus had no equals. Jesus had no one who could stand against Him and oppose Him. This same John who under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit would describe Jesus as walking among the churches in Revelation, NOW calls Him LORD!

Because when the enemy had done his worst. And it didn’t stop Jesus. The enemy today DOES his worst. And it will not stop Jesus. The world rails against Him, rallies against Him, HATES Him, and it does not stop Him, and when the enemy’s opposition doesn’t amount to anything more than a tool in the hands of Jesus….do you know what that means? That means He is in control of all of this, He is Lord over all of this, and He has the final SAY in all of this!!!

See, in this moment, this critical moment, this beautiful moment, everything changed. It was like flipping on a switch. It was dispelling the darkness. The light had come back on in the room - the shadows had no place else to hide.

When Jesus walks in, fear walks out.

There was no moment of hesitation. There wasn’t room for a second thought. There was a moment when fear ruled. And then, there was the moment that we realized that Jesus did - that’s a beautiful picture of Salvation, isn’t it? That Jesus’ work, having already been done, He’s already accomplished all that He needs to… NOTHING else needs to be done, IT is FINISHED……And then the moment He steps into our life, and reveals Himself, we know it. We know Him. Just like Jesus uttering that one word to Mary, her name……when He calls US by name…….fear walks out of the room.

21

You can’t live on mission and live in fear

Look at where they WERE!! Look at what they were DOING. They’re HIDING behind locked DOORS!!! These aren’t the people you send!! Not….until they are dispelled of fears once and for all, and not until they are empowered. Look at 22.

22

You can’t live in fellowship and live in fear

I believe that what Jesus is doing here is the precursor to what was going to happen on the day of Pentecost. Where He is breathing ON them now, God the Father was going to Breathe His Holy Spirit INTO the hearts of those disciples then. I think this is what these disciples needed. But Jesus’ command here to receive the Holy Spirit, I believe, He was giving them this command to be carried out at a future date.

23

Jesus here, who sits in full authority, is entrusting His authority to the disciples as STEWARDS here. He’s saying, there’s one avenue of the forgiveness of sins, there’s ONE Blood that forgives sins, and that’s Jesus.

And that authority, that LEVEL of authority, it can be daunting!! And that level of authority CANNOT BE ENTRUSTED to someone who’s life is marked by fear.

You can’t live in authority and live in fear

Now, you may be sitting there, and you may say, that doesn’t sound like me. I don’t feel that.....fearless. I don’t feel that brave. I don’t always have that PEACE.

And my goodness, that’s why I’m so thankful for this next passage.

24-25

At some point the disciples LEFT that room and went and started to tell someone, because, hey, they told Thomas!! And Thomas, who didn’t have the benefit of being there with them, said, man idk. I can’t believe all that. Not unless I see what ya’ll saw.

But then, something happens…..

26

They were inside. AGAIN.

We live in that GAP of vs 23 and vs 26. Right? We come here wednesday nights, and we’re worn down, and we walk out of here, and the band was awesome, we saw our friends we were worshipping Jesus…..and it’s like Thursday….Friday….Saturday……that’s our vs 24 and 25 right? Maybe the world kicks us around. Maybe we’re going along and something takes us by surprise and maybe….maybe that vision that GLIMPSE we got of Jesus….doesn’t seem that clear anymore?

and I think this is where the disciples are. And sometimes that’s where we are, in these moments of doubt.

Jesus gives peace to the fearful (26)

God isn’t put off by your fears. The Bible says in 1 John 4:18, Perfect love casts out fear.

kindness to the doubtful (27)

God isn’t disappointed in your doubts. The father who brought his son to Jesus for healing in Mark 9:24 said, I believe but help my unbelief. Jesus raised his son up, cleansed of evil spirits

and grace to the faithful. (29)

30-31

Jesus in His resurrection dispels fears, casts out doubts, and makes room in our hearts for faith to take root and grow.

This is the turning point for the disciples. After this, when we see them at Pentecost, we never see these disciples wrestle with doubt again. That same assurance the disciples had, God wants THAT same assurance to be yours, and it CAN be. This can be your turning point here. Now.