Read

John 20:19–22 “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. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

Think

Fear can be a fortress.

It makes us close doors, build walls, and huddle in safety. That’s exactly where the disciples were—literally and emotionally—the evening after Jesus rose. Locked inside a house, afraid for their lives, unsure of what the future held.

Yes, the women had said the tomb was empty. But fear is louder than secondhand hope sometimes. Their world had been rocked. The crucifixion wasn’t just a tragedy—it was trauma. They didn’t know what to do, so they did what most of us do when life spirals: they hid.

And then—Jesus showed up.

Not with a knock. Not with a shout. He didn’t wait for them to come to him. He entered the locked room, stood among their fear, and said the most healing words a wounded heart can hear: “Peace be with you.”

Not “What’s wrong with you?”
Not “Why didn’t you believe?”
Not “Didn’t I tell you this would happen?”

Just peace.

That’s the power of the resurrected Christ. He doesn’t wait until we’re brave to show up. He enters our hiding places. He doesn’t shame our fear—he speaks into it. And he speaks not just comfort, but calling.

Right after blessing them with peace, Jesus does something remarkable: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Wait… what?

These guys had just failed him. They scattered when he was arrested. One denied even knowing him. And now, still behind locked doors, this is the moment he sends them?

Yes. Because the call of Jesus doesn’t depend on your past performance—it depends on his present presence.

Jesus doesn’t just meet them with peace. He breathes on them—filling them with the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “breathed” here is the same word used in Genesis when God breathed life into Adam. It’s not just a symbolic moment. It’s a resurrection of their purpose. Jesus is saying: “You were hiding. Now you’re being sent.”

That’s the kind of transformation only he can do.

What about you? Are there places in your life where fear has locked the doors? Conversations you’re avoiding? Dreams you’ve stuffed away because failure still echoes?

You don’t have to fix yourself before Jesus enters the room. He walks through the walls we build. He stands in the middle of our fear and speaks peace—not once, but twice.

And then, he gives us purpose.

Maybe today is your moment to move from hiding to healing. From self-protection to Spirit-powered mission. You were never meant to stay behind locked doors. You were meant to go—sent in the same love, grace, and authority that Jesus walked in.

The world doesn’t need perfect Christians. It needs healed ones. Sent ones. People who’ve been behind locked doors—and know what it feels like when Jesus comes through anyway.

Apply

Where are you still hiding? Be honest about one area where fear, shame, or disappointment is keeping you closed off—from others, from calling, or from God. Write it down. Then, pray aloud or quietly: “Jesus, enter this place. Speak peace. Send me.”

Bonus step: Take one tangible action today that reflects openness—sharing with a friend, taking a risk, or showing up where you’ve felt paralyzed.

Pray

Jesus, thank you for coming through the locked doors of my fear. I’ve hidden. I’ve doubted. I’ve closed myself off. And still, you come in peace. You breathe life. You speak calling. Help me receive your Spirit today—not just to comfort me, but to commission me. I want to be sent—not because I’m ready, but because you are here. In Jesus’ name. Amen.