“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, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you… As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” John 20:19, 21

No Reprimand

I fight against a critical spirit. Oh, I’m so much better than I used to be, thanks to the patient work of the Holy Spirit in me! I see the fruit of patience being developed, and longsuffering, and kindness. But in my flesh dwells no good thing—in my flesh dwells suspicion and faultfinding. We could analyze “why” all day long, and we’d have to conclude the same thing: I’m a sinner, saved by the grace of God alone.

Unlike me, the example Jesus gives is approval and acceptance, not criticism. If ever anyone might have expected to meet with disapproval, it would be in that room on that day with those men. The disciples were surrounded by fears: fears of what had happened to Jesus’ body; fears of what the Jews would do to them as the disciples of a crucified Man; fears of being expelled from the Temple; perhaps even fears of what God would do to them since they had run from Jesus in His hour of need, and in Peter’s case, had flat-out denied knowing Him.

Jesus, as always, came in the room defying expectations. They did not expect Him to come at all, because He had died. They did not expect He, or anyone else, could enter a locked room. They probably did not expect favor. But He did not criticize. He did not judge. He did not look at what they had done, but what they would do in the future. He had come not to reprimand, but to commission.

Oh, the joy of second chances! To see that we are still counted worthy to serve. To know that we are still loved. To find out that the world didn’t end with our failure. It’s as if Jesus is saying, “Ok, enough about all that. We’re moving on. Here’s what I want you to do….”

Jesus knows that in order for us to move forward, our fears need to be met with His peace. Instead of a certain fearful judgment (which is reserved for those who are outside of Christ), we receive peace by His pardon.

We aren’t told if the disciples confessed their sins to receive forgiveness in that locked room. But we do have God’s sure Word for ourselves: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

“Thank You for coming to us, accepting us, offering us peace, and commissioning us for Kingdom work. We are blessed. Amen.”