John 20:19 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.
Peace is Letting Jesus In
Some days just have a delicate balance. There is just no room for error and no margin for trouble. I know I am about to experience one of these days when my children come to me with a question, and I think to myself, “Ok, no questions until 10:30.” Or someone needs my attention, and I think, “No problems until 10:30. I don’t have room for questions, problems, or detours today.”
The disciples knew exactly how that felt. Jesus had been crucified, and those who had killed Jesus were thirsty for the blood of those who followed Him. So, instead of dispersing and letting out the good news, the disciples were huddled together with the door shut and locked. John 20:19 tells us, “… 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.” The disciples were hiding, and beyond that door and lock was an angry world eager to kill them.
Now the problem with locking out your problems is that it locks out life. Life is full of problems. When you lock out problems, you lock out people. When you lock out problems, you shut down life. God did not make you to lock out life. Jesus came so that you might have life and have it more abundantly.
The disciples had locked their enemies out, but things changed when Jesus came in. When Jesus came in, He brought with Him peace. Jesus said, “Peace be unto you.” Verse 21 says, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Jesus wants to send you out, not keep you in.
Verse 26 says, “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.” Peace is not the absence of problems: peace is the presence of Jesus. Why don’t you let Jesus in on your problems today? Why don’t you let Jesus in on your uncertainties? Why don’t you let Jesus in on your worries? Why don’t you let Jesus in on your day? Peace is not about shutting life out; it’s about letting Jesus in.