Suddenly, Jesus!

“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid…Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them!  ‘Peace be with you,’ he said…Again he said, ‘Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.’” John 20:19

For me it seems like a month ago instead of a week ago when the bottom dropped out of our world.  This time last week seemed concerning, but life appeared to be an extension of itself until a National State of Emergency was enacted.  We were all strongly instructed to huddle in our homes, and distance ourselves from the crowds outside of our walls.  In considering the disciples this morning, they must have had some of the same feelings but much more intense.  Their teacher, friend and leader had suffered one of the most brutal killings ever to have been enacted against man…a sinless man.  Just two days after knowing that Jesus took His final breath they were frightened and huddled together.  What had happened that their lives had been totally disrupted?  When would it be safe to go outside again?  Would they be attacked? When would things return to even a new normal?  With Jesus gone, they were suddenly out of work. Then the story turns beautiful…the story turns hopeful…the story was for them and is also for us.

Suddenly, Jesus!  There is no door…no virus…no circumstance that will restrict Jesus from standing right here with us.  Jesus told them the very same thing His spirit tells us…have peace in this…be brave…believe that there is purpose up ahead.  Like the disciples, we need Jesus to tell us that several times a day.  Like the disciples, we need to hear that just as Jesus was sent to die for all of us, we are being sent to encourage each other in this challenging time.  Like the disciples we need to be reminded that no grave, no illness, no government can keep us from experiencing the love and peace of Jesus. 

So whatever situation in which you find yourself this morning, remind your heart that ‘suddenly there is Jesus!’ He is in you, ahead of you and beside you as you walk out this experience.  He will neither leave you nor abandon you.  His face will shine upon you and keep you close.  And when you look for Him, you will find Him…when you call to Him, you will hear His reply.  So as we huddle up and do our part, we don’t huddle alone…we are huddling with Jesus who is in total control.