John 20:1-23
Today, we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the early church, there was no Christmas celebration. The only major festival was Easter, and every Sunday, the church gathered to worship in remembrance of Jesus’ resurrection. The reason we hold Sunday services today stems from this practice of worshiping on the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead. Being a believer meant being a witness of the resurrection.
On the morning of the resurrection, the women who encountered Jesus ran throughout the streets, proclaiming, “Jesus has risen!” However, at that time, the disciples were hiding. “The disciples had locked the doors for fear of the Jewish leaders” (John 20:19). What they had locked was not just a physical door; their hearts were also closed.
Why did Jesus come through that locked door to meet his disciples? It was more important for him to open the doors of their hearts than to open the door of the room.
The first thing Jesus did was open hearts that were closed by fear. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples were terrified. Afraid that the chief priests and Roman soldiers might come for them next, they locked themselves in the upper room. But it was to these very disciples that Jesus appeared, saying, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). He showed them his hands and his side, and only then did the disciples recognize him and rejoice. “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20).
Are there fears in your life? Are you worried about what might happen next week, about your health, relationships, business, or calling? Fear closes our hearts. Many people shut themselves off from others, hiding behind emotional walls because of fear. But Jesus comes to meet us and opens the doors of our hearts that have been closed by fear. When we realize that Jesus is with us and experience his peace, we can cast off fear and open our hearts.
Jesus opened hearts that were closed by failure. The disciples had betrayed and abandoned Jesus. But Jesus forgave them and gave them a new mission. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). He reinstated them as apostles of the gospel.
Why did Jesus choose to use the very disciples who had failed him? It was all part of Jesus’ plan through the work of the Holy Spirit. “And with that, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’“(John 20:22). The disciples’ failure and discouragement prepared them to be fully reliant on the Holy Spirit. They realized that their own strength and determination were insufficient. God works even through those who have failed. In Christ, even failure and disappointment become qualifications. Therefore, we do not need to shut ourselves off and hide because of failure. When we live in obedience to the Holy Spirit, amazing things happen.
Jesus opened hearts that were closed by sin. Sin causes us to shut down. It closes the doors to prayer, praise, and love. The disciples’ hearts were closed by guilt because they had denied and abandoned Jesus. But Jesus said to them, “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” (John 20:23). This was not a statement giving the disciples authority to forgive sins, but a blessing to share the gospel of forgiveness.
Evangelism is about sharing the gospel, which brings forgiveness of sins to those who hear and accept it. When the disciples preached, those who received Jesus experienced the forgiveness of all their sins. By entrusting the mission of evangelism to the disciples, Jesus assured them that their sins were already forgiven. As a result, the disciples were able to forgive even those who persecuted them and boldly preach the gospel.
Look to Jesus. He forgives our sins and calls us to live as those who have been forgiven, sharing the gospel with others.
Jesus is the one who opens closed doors. He opens the doors of our hearts that have been closed by fear, failure, and sin, and He brings us peace, purpose, and the blessing of forgiveness. As we look to the risen Lord, may we also live out the mission he has given us. Amen.
