‘Lockdown’ – that sounds familiar
We’ve been spending time in the gospel of John - first looking at the account of the Passion and more recently looking at the ‘I am’ statements made by Jesus which give a mind-blowing insight into who He is.
But I keep going back to Easter and the aftermath of Jesus’ death.
The confusion of Easter Saturday resonates with me. What was going on? This wasn’t in the script as His disciples understood it.
In John 20 (Sunday evening of the Easter weekend in the timeline) the disciples were still frightened, still confused – and staying behind locked doors!
Then it happened – as they were huddled together,
worried about the consequences of leaving their safe place,
speculating about what would happen next (some of them had seen the empty tomb and the women said they had seen Jesus…),
in the middle of their fear and confusion –
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 HE SAID, “PEACE BE WITH YOU!
John 20:19
The peace of God and the God of peace
In Philippians 4 Paul (who had more than his fair share of trauma) writes about this peace:
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent and praiseworthy – think about such things…
And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:5-9
Lord Jesus
in our restricted space
amongst the speculation and uncertainty,
with our emotions exhausted and our anxiety fuelled daily,
come, Lord Jesus, stand among us
and speak your peace into our households
and set it guard over our hearts and minds.
And the people of God said with one voice:
AMEN
Steve Page
This blog was inspired by the movement of the Holy Spirit during one of our weekly Zoom Prayer Meetings which are happening on every Wednesday night! If you want to join us, then let us know by filling our an I’m New Here Form or by emailing hello@redeemerlondon.org
