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Scripture for the day: John 20:19-20 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were [e]assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
Thought for the day: They were locked away in a dark room, eleven frightened men who had, until just recently, thought they would be part of a great earthly kingdom led by the Messiah Himself. Now they dared not light a candle for fear of giving away their position. No one spoke above a whisper when they spoke at all. Who might be listening at the door? Who might hand them over to the same people who had crucified the Christ? They didn’t know but they were taking no chances of discovery. What a sad picture they painted, cowering there in the darkness of that upper room and in the even greater darkness of their own thoughts.
 Suddenly, there in the midst of them, stood Jesus! This was his fifth appearance on that great resurrection day. He’d appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20), some of the other women (Matthew 28), Peter (Luke 24), and two believers as they walked to Emmaus (Luke 24). Now He was standing there with the eleven remaining believers. All that was dark now turned to the light of day. Jesus turned their fear to courage with just one word – Shalom!
 He turned their fear to courage by reassuring them with proof that He was indeed alive once again. “Look at the nail prints in My hands and feet. They are proof that the price has been paid, you have peace with God and all will be well.”
 He turned their fear to courage by commissioning them. “As the Father has sent Me, so send I you” (vs. 21). “Go and preach; go and make disciples; go and be witnesses of all you’ve seen and heard.” 
 He turned their fear to courage by enabling them through the Holy Spirit to do and be all He’d intended. He promised they would be baptized with the Spirit, which would be necessary if they were to successfully into all the world. 
 His presence turned their unbelief into confidence. He dealt with each of them as each needed, including Thomas. For some, “Shalom” was enough. For others, a personal confrontation was needed before lingering doubts could be dispensed with. For all, only His physical presence would have been sufficient.
 He turned the disciples from death to life by reminding them that salvation was not in seeing; salvation was a result of believing. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” It’s not about the spectacular miracles; they just get your attention. It’s about believing in the person of Jesus Christ and what He did to open the door to reconciliation with a holy God. The whole book of John is about this: Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ. He has shown us the truth by His works, His walk and His words. He has spoken the truth to us that no one else could speak. 
 He has provided the promise of peace – “shalom.” He has provided the promise of power – “receive the Holy Spirit.” He has provided the promise of pardon – “stop doubting and be a believer.” There is no reason to live in the fair-to-middlin, mired in mediocrity, assailed by the average, grinding out the good enough. Christians were never meant to fit in; they are designed to stand out. 
 More on this tomorrow; in the meantime, 
Go take on your world.  -  Bill