Locked In a Room

The NET Bible Chapter 20

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the disciples had gathered together and locked the doors of the place because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20:20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 20:22 And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.20:23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”

JESUS OPENS OUR LOCKED DOORS WITH HIS ANNOUNCEMENT OF PEACE, RESULTING IN HOPE

On Easter evening the disciples locked themselves in a room. They were afraid! They were afraid of the zealous religious leaders who murdered Jesus. But here’s the rub: in locking their enemies out, they locked themselves in. They were prisoners of their own fear, worry, and despair.

In our modern era fear, worry, and despair continually locks people in. At the very least, fear makes our mission of sharing the Easter good news more difficult. At the very worst, fear paralyzes the Christian completely.

In reality, no locked doors can ever keep Christ out. All doors are open for Him, and the tragedy is that we lock ourselves in a room with open doors.

How do we lock ourselves in a room with open doors?

We Lock Ourselves in by Fear and Anxiety

Fear includes anxiety, dread, and loss of courage in the face of an unpleasant or dangerous situation.

Psychology Today:

At least 60 percent of adults admit to having at least one unreasonable fear, although research to date is not clear on why these fears manifest. One theory is that humans have a genetic predisposition to fear...

On that first Easter evening the Disciples were gripped by fear, which caused them to avoid being out in public. They were afraid that if the Jewish leaders saw them that they, too, would be arrested for being in Jesus’ company, and at worst, executed.

Fear is a self-defense mechanism that kicks in when we perceive that something can hurt us.

The theory reported in Psychology Today is accurate: humans do have a genetic predisposition to fear — this came as a result of the FALL. It is a predisposition to the fear of death, and all the things that come before — injury, sickness, disease.

Before the FALL, man was to live forever. Sin entered the world and humanity fell from the image of perfection to defection, exiling us from Paradise and the presence of God. The result is we die. The disciples did not wish to die, and neither do we.

The result is, when we perceive danger — legitimate or otherwise — we lock ourselves in. We shelter in place. We do everything possible to protect ourselves.

But the blessing of Easter changes everything. Fear is now replaced with Joy. Unlocking doors and venturing outside is not possible because death is no longer our concern.

How in the world is this possible?

Jesus’ Peace Unlocks Doors Giving Hope

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The peace we have from Christ Jesus is in knowing that all our sin — along with its consequences — are taken care of. Not only have these things been dealt with, we have regained ACCESS to the Father, and now have hope, where it did not exist.

Yes, the believer in Christ will die, but this is why Jesus calls it sleep. The one who sleeps, He will one day awaken.

Mark 5:36 — “Do not fear, Only Believe” Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue. And He says this to you and me. We who were locked in because of fear have now been set free — Free to serve.