Bible on the Road – Behind Locked Doors

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”” John 20:19-21

This is a great scene of Scripture we all know. Jesus has been crucified. He is dead and buried. The disciples have locked themselves in the upper room terrified the Romans or Jewish leaders will be coming for them next. Along with the fear of what may happen to them, the apostles also face shame. Except for John, none had the courage or faith to stand with Jesus on Calvary.

We could condemn the disciples for hiding in fear. After all, didn’t Jesus tell them this was coming? He held nothing back about His death or resurrection. How could they forget it all and run away from Gethsemane in fear? How could they abandon the man they loved and revered as the Messiah and their rabbi and friend? Horrible of them, right? We’d never do that!

No? Through their writings, you know Who Jesus is better than the disciples understood in that moment. Through many saints and doctors of the Church, you know Who Jesus is and what His sacrifice on the cross cost Him as well as what it gave you. You know in your heart that Jesus died for you, that His words to the Father from the cross were spoken while gazing at you – “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.

Yet, knowing all this not as faith but as fact, I still sin. Knowing Jesus took every lash at the hand of my sin, I still reach for the whip daily. Then, so often, we run and hide behind locked doors. We shut the doors, lock and deadbolt them that no one can approach our shame. We know if Jesus comes to that door, He will pound in anger and demand Justice against us for each lash upon His back by our sins. We cower in fear and shame.

Then, our worst fears are realized, Jesus does come. He doesn’t pound on the door nor even open it. He is just in the room. His rays of Divine Mercy’s blood and water pouring out from His lance pierced Sacred Heart. “Peace be with you.” (v. 19). We cower back as He stretches out His hand, light shining through the nail hole. And Jesus again says, “Peace be with you.” His hand outstretched, Jesus says, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” (v. 27).

Do not doubt His Divine Mercy. It doesn’t matter how many times you lashed Jesus with your sin. Nor, if you were in the crowd yelling “CRUCIFY HIM!” It doesn’t matter if you betrayed Him or denied Him or ran away. It doesn’t even matter that you’ve locked the doors to try to keep Him away in your fears. The Divine Mercy of God the Father pours out an ocean upon you because of the sacrifice and love of His Son through the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit.

The locked door makes no difference to His Mercy, so get up and unlock those doors. Decide now to let Jesus bring that Divine Mercy to you – “Do not doubt but believe.”