Luke 24:36-38 (a version for today)
While the disciples discuss the resurrection news, Jesus stands among them and says, ‘Peace be with you.’ Startled and terrified, they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus asks, ‘Why are you frightened and, why do doubts arise in your hearts?’
We join fearful Peter now to listen to his reflections.
Meditation of Peter:
Afraid, me and the other disciples lock ourselves in that upper room. With Jesus dead, all sorts of fears prey on our minds and hearts. Especially afraid that should the authorities find us, we’ll all be hanging on crosses.
Then, suddenly a man stands in our midst, inside the locked room! A Roman agent? No… but who?
When he speaks, I jump, startled. I would know that voice anywhere! ‘Peace be with you,’ he greets us. I figure I am hallucinating or seeing a ghost.
Now I realise I should not have been surprised. After all, Jesus tried to tell us. And then, there are the early morning reports from Mary and Joanna — empty tomb and all. It’s just a lot to take in. Truth be told, I am more troubled than happy with the news that Jesus might be alive. Think about it, I’ll have a lot to answer for. Oh, yes, I am the one who calls him the Christ. But I am also the one who falls asleep, deserts him, denies him. Not sure how happy he’ll be about that.
You’ve surely had failures and fears. Don’t you ever wonder if you are not worthy? Don’t you ever worry that you’ve done one bad thing too many and the love will just stop?
There in that locked room, I realise it is Jesus, the same yet changed.
‘Why are you frightened? Why do you doubt so much? Look and see, it is I.’ His words release me from my fears and failures. His presence gives me courage in spite of my fears and assures me that my failures, my sins, are forgiven.
I feel assured that his truth, his power, his love will be mine, will be ours, will be yours. In life’s failures and fears, we have a friend in Jesus, steadfast and true. He will lift us up, you and me, and set us on that road to glory.
