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!”
John 20:19 NIV
Jesus’ disciples had followed him for three years. They had hoped that he was the Messiah who would redeem Israel (Luke 24:21). But shortly after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he had been arrested by the authorities, put through a series of trials, and then crucified. It is hard to imagine how they felt the next day. Some headed home (Luke 24:13). Others were hiding behind locked doors (John 20:19). And some were waiting to pay their final respects to him (Luke 23:55-56). But what they all had in common was grief and a sense of loss. All of their hopes had been crushed there on that Roman cross.
But there is another picture we might see from that day. In Colossians 2:15, Paul tells us that Jesus triumphed over the spiritual forces of darkness by the cross. What seemed like his defeat was actually a triumph.
I believe there is a real lesson in this for us. When life seems at its darkest, remember that God is still at work in his world. We cannot always see what he is doing. But we can trust that he is in control and working out all things according to his good purpose. It will not be dark forever. Easter is just around the corner!
Thank you for these devotionals. I love reading them everyday and always learn something new. ✝️
Thanks. It is encouraging to hear that people find value in these short devotionals.