What now?

Locked doors and Lock down

"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!" (John 20:19).

It is perhaps easier for us, with our 20-20 hindsight vision of the Easter narrative, to not see how difficult is was for the first disciples. Even though they had seen the risen Christ, fear was the overwhelming thought that invaded their hearts and minds. The gospel tells us quite plainly that the disciples were in a form of self imposed isolation, and locked in by fear. 

Whenever John uses the words ‘the Jews’, he is not talking about the identity of the population at large, but specifically the Sanhedrin authorities who had demanded the demise of their Master.

In our current post Easter period, with the slight easing of lockdown restrictions, many are finding it difficult; that there is a mental or emotional locked door restricting their wellbeing. In fact this scenario has its own diagnosis.

‘Post-lockdown anxiety', as it was recently dubbed by mental-health charity Anxiety UK, and is the fear or worry of returning to normal life as lockdown measures are relaxed.

 

Despite the easing of the lockdown, a survey by Ipsos Mori showed that more than 60% of Britons are uncomfortable with the prospect of returning to bars and restaurants, using public transport or going to a large gathering, such as a sporting event.

Such fear, whether found in the Upper Room or within our own homes is the emotion that keeps us in hiding and paralyses us into inactivity. God knew we were going to struggle with fear because his word instructs us not to fear in over 300 Bible verses. The whole of the Easter Message is that we can boldly face life, knowing Jesus' sacrifice on the cross connects you to the power and protection of God the Father.

It was John Newton who pointed out, “If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable.”

Dear Lord, Your words were clear. I am never to worry about what’s going to happen tomorrow, because you haven’t given me the grace to bear up under tomorrow’s concerns until I get there. So help me not to borrow worries from the future. Rather, help me to invest in faith. Help me choose to look for your hand working on my behalf today—and trust you, in simple faith, for my future and accept the peace you offer. Amen