March 28, 2016

“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.” 20After 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.”22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:19-23

The disciples, the followers of Jesus have been through a difficult, difficult week. They watched and followed Jesus ride into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, and shouted “Blessed is the king” on the trip we call the triumphal entrance. Then he taught them a new commandment, which had their heads spinning. Immediately he went out and was arrested. He was convicted and hung on a cross. And finally they heard the news that he was not in the tomb, but had been raised.

So, here they are locked away in fear, and their fear is very real.

And here I am, Easter plus one day, Easter Monday, and I am in fear that I will not see a lot of those who have come out for worship over the past week until Christmas – or even next Easter. And, of course, I wonder why? What has them living their lives without Jesus for most of the year? What happened in the past that drove them away? Who offended them that they just cannot get the courage to face whoever it was – and so won’t even dare come through the doors? Why do they view us as such hypocrites?

The risen Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon his disciples in that room the first day of the week, after the resurrection. It will take until the Day of Pentecost for the Holy Spirit to really take hold – once they watch Jesus’ ascension. It is that same Holy Spirit that empowers us to face our brothers and sisters in Christ who come only occasionally, to put aside our fears and love them enough to invite them back, again, and again, and again.

Pastor Dave