John 20:19-21
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
In spite of now several reports of an empty tomb and Mary’s witness to having seen Jesus, the disciples are locking themselves in a room out of fear. I think that’s significant, as the proclamation of good news doesn’t necessarily take away our fear. At least not at first. Truly good news – and this was earth shatteringly good news – takes time to believe, to sink in, to trust.
This is a common feature of all the resurrection stories, in fact. Despite a number of intriguing differences, the four accounts of Jesus’ resurrection have one thing in common: the good news shared with the disciples is generally met with doubt and disbelief. So also here: while the disciples have heard the proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection, they are still afraid. What this means – for them and for the world – has not yet sunk in.
That fear turns to joy when Jesus himself joins them, offering them the traditional greeting of peace. But immediately after blessing them with his peace, Jesus commissions them, sending them out into the world just as he was sent.
Just as he was sent. Did that distress the disciples? It probably should have. After all, he was sent to love a world that did not love God. He was sent to promise abundant life to people who would rather hold on to the paltry substitutes for life around which they had built their security than risk actually living in the light and grace of God. He was sent, in short, to be lifted up on the cross to demonstrate God’s love for all. If the disciples are sent as Jesus was sent, they had a hard road ahead.
And yet they are joyful. Which is, I think, quite important, as we discover that the absence of fear isn’t comfort, it’s purpose. Jesus blesses his disciples not with rest and repose, not with security and safety, but rather with peace and purpose. And he offers the same to his disciples today.
Prayer: Dear God, send us into the world as you sent Jesus, that we also may witness to your love for the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I just wanted to add to the end of this piece… “as so that your JOY may be completed!”