When Jesus Knocks

On the morning of the most amazing day in history, eleven men were huddled in a room, terrified for their lives. These men were fishers, tax collectors, zealots, and followers of Jesus. Very notable followers, in fact, for being the original remaining disciples.

Yet a knock at the door sent the disciples running under tables, terrified for their lives.

Okay, we don’t actually know if Jesus knocked. Or if they were really under tables. But given that they had been hiding since Jesus was crucified? I wouldn’t be surprised…

Of course, they didn’t know it was Jesus who was waiting for them on the other side of the door that day. They likely thought it was Roman soldiers who came to arrest them. Or maybe they had heard from Mary that Jesus was alive and they were scared about seeing Him again.

For Peter, he might’ve felt shame at the sight of his Lord after denying Him three times. For Thomas, it might’ve felt safer to not get his hopes up. For others, it might’ve seemed too great a miracle to be true. And perhaps they were worried that Jesus would judge them for being scared?

Just think–fear kept them from letting Jesus in. And arguably very solid fears for their lives. But when they allowed fear to dictate their actions, they weren’t open to the possibility of a miracle.

Thankfully, no wall or door or any sort of barrier–even fear–will keep Jesus out. He appeared to them, showed them His hands and feet, and gently reminded them to have faith. He reminded them that He would always love them and have the power over death.

What areas of your life are you allowing fear to dictate your actions and thoughts? When you allow fear to be in control, you put Jesus in the backseat of the mission. But Jesus is the only one who knows what He’s doing and has complete control. In any car chase, I would gladly have someone like James Bond take the wheel rather than me–someone who knows what they are doing and can remain calm in the situation. But of course we don’t have our own personally trained body guards–we have someone better. Jesus, thankfully, is able to be everywhere at once and advocate for all our needs.

Today, ask Jesus to open your eyes to the areas in your life where you need to be honest with Him. Ask Him to intercede for you and help you trust that He knows where He’s leading you and He won’t let you go. Nothing can stop the power of Jesus’ love in your life–not even fear.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19-20

Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:25