John 20:19a - 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,
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Trained and taught but didn’t know what to say
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Marched for 3 years but now they sat
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As they looked at the walls of the upper room they also looked inside
themselves in self examination
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They could not forget Jesus and even though they fled, they came back together
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This was the beginning of the first church
Upper room futility
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enough religion to come together but not enough passion to go out
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a little bit of faith but no fire
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good people, ideas, plans, meetings, and intentions but the door remained
locked
John 20:19b-22 - Jesus came and stood among them and
said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his
hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending
you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the
Holy Spirit.
Only one thing can change this futility – They saw Jesus
and received His joy, forgiveness, peace, and Holy Spirit.
The same is true for churches today. May we always seek
the risen Lord. Amen?
