The Risen Jesus - Pt 4

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:19-23 ESV). Today we will look at the third of the things we learn in this reading: Jesus comes to them and stands in their midst. Read it again: “… the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them.” The point here is that he came right into the middle of their meeting. He did not come to the edge and call out through the wall and deal with them as a distant deity. He wasn’t playing games with them. He wasn’t toying with their faith. He wanted them to see him and know him and believe in him and love him.

There’s a great story behind the image I have attached with today’s devotionals. You will no doubt recognize the raging bull in the background. You can find this sculpture in New York City’s financial district. It is the symbol of the power and might of a strong, robust financial market. About a year after this sculpture was finished and placed on Wall Street, another sculpture was placed defiantly facing the charging bull. It is the diminutive, only about three feet tall, representation of a little girl. Hands on her hips, you can almost hear her quietly say, “Go ahead, give it your best shot. I’m not afraid of you!” There’s lots of controversy about this statue, and I certainly don’t want to endorse any political side of the issues. However, the image speaks to me. This is what Jesus wants for us today. He wants us to truly experience his power and life in every circumstance we may face. He wants us to see him come and stand in our midst, resurrected and coming to right every wrong and set all things straight. He wants to help us in our fear the way no one else can help us. And he is not calling to us from a distance, but coming right into our midst. So, whatever you are facing down in your life, even if it looks like a raging bull about to obliterate you, it is nothing compared to the Risen Christ who is within you! Look that fear in the eyes and defiantly dare it to give its best shot. It will never be enough to defeat you! You have the Ruler over life and death in your midst. He cannot be defeated! Nor can you!