April 6: Behind Locked Doors
Fear is very good at locking doors, and you’ve probably locked a few of your own.
“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. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.”
This is the evening of the first Easter. The tomb is empty, but the disciples don’t know what to do with that yet. They’re hiding in a room with the doors locked, afraid of what might happen next.
And Jesus comes in anyway. Locked doors don’t stop Him. He stands among them and the first word out of His mouth is peace. Then He shows them His hands and His side. The risen Christ still carries His wounds, and He shows them openly.
There’s something here for anyone working Step Four. You may have a room inside you with the doors locked tight. Memories, shame, things done and things done to you. You’ve kept them locked because you’re afraid of what happens if they’re opened.
Jesus doesn’t kick the door down. He simply comes in, speaks peace, and shows you that wounds can be looked at in the light. His didn’t disappear on resurrection morning. They became the proof of His love.
Your inventory is not about digging up the past to wallow in it. It’s about letting the risen Lord into the locked room. What He brings is not condemnation. It’s peace. And after the peace, new life.
That’s what this season of the church year is about. Death doesn’t get the last word. Neither does fear. Neither does the bottle, or the worst thing you ever did. Resurrection means God brings life out of places that looked finished.
The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Gladness came after the fear, not instead of it. You might be scared to open the door today. That’s all right. Open it a crack. He’ll do the rest.
One thing today
Write one thing you’ve kept behind a locked door in your mind. You don’t need details yet. A few words are enough. Then read this passage again and hear Jesus say peace to you.
A prayer
Risen Lord, You came into a locked room and spoke peace. Come into mine. I’m afraid of what’s in there, but I trust You more than I trust my fear. Bring new life where I see only old wounds. Amen.
Take the next step in Step Four.
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