From Despair to Overjoyed
The disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” — John 20:19–21
Three empty crosses lay grotesquely across Golgotha’s barren and desolate knoll. The sun-dried blood, the convulsed earth, the litter of a mob all told the gruesome story of crucifixion. They had deserted Him, later found His tomb empty, and were now cowering in a house with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. In this house Jesus appeared to them.
Think what these disciples had been going through before He showed up. They suffered from despair—the absence of hope. Peter, James, and John may have been remembering that they had left a thriving fishing business to follow Him—and now…nothing. Matthew had been involved in the lucrative business of tax collecting. He left all to follow Jesus, even had a feast in Jesus’ honor. And now…? Had they been so gullible that they would believe Him and leave all to follow Him?
Men and women today are also struggling and feeling hopeless. That was where the disciples were when Jesus came into the house. When the disciples realized it was Jesus, they became overjoyed. The answer to their dilemma was with them. He is also the answer to our dilemma. He is the solution to the problems of human hearts!
1. Have you reached the precipice and found no hope?
2. Do you think you have tried everything and nothing has worked?
Extra Reading: Luke 24:13–35; 2 Corinthians 4:1–18
Father, amid the struggles of life, the disappointments, the failures and the sense of despair, I come to You. I know You can meet me where I am. You can handle my problems and disappointments. I turn them over to You and trust You to touch me and heal my soul. I need you in charge. Amen.
