Sometimes I read a scripture passage and wonder, “What does that have to do with life today?” Other times, a story speaks directly to my life and our human condition.

The passage for this week (John 20:19-26) falls into the latter category. It’s often referred to as the story of “Doubting Thomas”.

What struck me in the story has nothing to do with Thomas; it is the situation of the other disciples. On Easter Sunday, they are locked in a house out of fear. On the Sunday after Easter, they are locked in a house out of fear.

Many of us have been locked in our own houses over the last year. Some out of fear of a virus. Some due to the fact that many of the places we would rather be (restaurants, bars, theaters, ball parks, church) have either been closed or are operating at limited capacity. We, like those first disciples, know what it is to be locked away from much of the world for a season of life.

Yet Jesus did not come that we might remain locked in our houses. According to Jesus, he came that we “may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). So Jesus slipped through the locked doors, offered “Peace” to his disciples, and breathed upon them the Holy Spirit.

This week we’ll gather in-person and online for worship. We’ll reflect on what it means that we worship the Resurrected Christ who slips into rooms where people are locked in fear, offers us “Peace,” and breathes the Holy Spirit upon us… that we might have life, and have it abundantly.

Blessings,

Stephen