Daily Worship

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Iain Jamieson April 27, 2025 0 0
locked_door_padlocks_unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Listen to this daily worship

John 20: 19-23 (NIVUK)

19 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!’ 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. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’

So, the doors were locked and they hid away. Because they were human, and afraid and alone save for each other. You can practically hear the silence, see the fog of their breath in the night, in that room, huddled together. Together, but each on their own with their thoughts…

But then Jesus came, Jesus came. He walked inside, amongst them, into an atmosphere of fear and trepidation. I can almost hear the intake of breath, not a word from anyone. What could even be said? And Jesus said “Peace be with you”. Disciples, to a man, able to breath again. He showed them his hands and his side, because he loved them, each one, and he understood they still could not believe their eyes. He might as well have said “Look, it is really me!” Why put anyone on the spot? Why tell when you can simply show?

How much more loving and caring or understanding is that. It is so “Jesus” incarnate: compassion and understanding. The liberation of the words: “Peace be with you”. 

That the disciples were overjoyed is probably one of the understatements of the centuries.

Emotions must have flooded over, covering walls and floors and everyone in the room and again Jesus says “Peace be with you” then “Receive the Holy Spirit” sucking all that tension out of the air and replacing it with a miracle, all the help and succour they needed. 

Brothers and sisters when you inhabit that space, when doors are locked and you hide away, when you can hear the silence, when the only company you have are your own thoughts:

 

Let Jesus in, hear him say ‘Peace be with you’ and receive the Holy Spirit.

 

Prayer:

 

Jesus, when I have no words.

When I’m alone in my head.

Let me let you in.

And hear you say:

“Peace be with me.

Holy Spirit Come”.