Peace and Mission: Jesus Appears to His Fearful Disciples
Explore Jesus’ appearance behind locked doors, His gift of peace, and the commissioning of His disciples for mission after fear and grief.
📖 Introduction
“Peace be with you.” These words spoken by the risen Jesus to His disciples behind locked doors echo through the centuries, offering profound comfort and a calling that continues today. After Jesus’ crucifixion, His followers were overwhelmed by fear, grief, and confusion. Walls of doubt and worry surrounded them, much like the physical locked doors where they gathered. Yet Jesus breaks through those barriers—both seen and unseen—to bring peace to troubled hearts and commission His followers for a vital mission.
In the Gospel of John 20:19–23, we witness this astounding moment: Jesus appears despite closed doors, greeting His frightened disciples with peace, showing His wounds, and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. This event encapsulates the heart of the Gospel message—a transition from fear to peace, from hiding to mission.
As you journey through this 7-day study, immerse yourself in the emotional depth of Jesus’ resurrection appearance. Reflect on how pain and fear can give way to peace through Christ’s presence and how His peace always carries a purpose. We will explore the meaning of His greeting “Peace be with you,” the significance of His wounds, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the calling to share forgiveness and reconciliation with others.
Each day invites you to enter the story anew, to feel the relief and joy the disciples experienced, and to discover how the same peace and mission speak powerfully into your life today. Whether you are wrestling with fear, grief, or uncertainty, remember that Jesus stands among us still—behind any locked doors, offering peace and sending us onward into the world.