What do we do when our Plans Fall Through? When We’re Locked in a Room?

The disciples had big plans after the Passover holiday was over. James and John were planning to go fishing with their dad, Zebedee, on the Sea of Galilee. Peter was looking forward to his mother-in-law’s delicious lamb and legumes. Matthew was going to walk his children to school so they could sit at the feet of their rabbi. Andrew and Nathanael were going hiking across the Judean countryside. Thomas was planning to help his twin brother plant spring crops.

Then, within a few days, everything changed!

Their plans fell through when Jesus was arrested, crucified, and buried. There was no time for hiking, fishing, or planting. There was only time to hide! There were more important things to be doing. Like staying alive!

All of us had big plans around the Easter holiday:

• You were planning on going fishing with your kids. But now you are stuck inside with those same kids.
• You were looking forward to the big Easter feast with your family. But with the “safer at home” orders in place, no one could come over, and you couldn’t go over there, either.
• You were planning to drive your kids to school so they could sit at the feet of their teachers. Now your children have their feet propped up on the sofa watching their teachers on their Chromebooks.
• You were going to go for a long hike, but the parks are all closed.
• You were going to plant a garden, but if you live in certain states, gardening supplies are off-limits.

Today we begin a series for the Easter season entitled, “What do we do when our plans fall through?” Today we specifically examine what happens when we’re locked in a room.

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Imagine what the disciples must have been feeling. Here was their Rabbi – their Teacher and Master for the past three years – dead. They had witnessed incredible miracles of healing. Heard masterful teaching from the mouth of God. Shared intimate meals with the Messiah. They had dedicated their lives to Jesus.

But now he was dead. Crucified as a criminal. Buried in a borrowed tomb.

They felt tremendous sorrow.

But they also felt fear. “On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together behind locked doors because of their fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). They were locked in a room because of fear. But their greatest fear really wasn’t the Jews. It was death. Death had taken Jesus from them. And if death could take away the One who could raise the dead, then death could easily take them.

This is ultimately why we are locked in our homes right now. We are afraid of death. We’re afraid of bringing death into our home when we go to the grocery store. Or carrying death with us when we visit our elderly parents. We are averse to dying for any reason and by any means.  

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But no one wants to be paid those wages. No one wants to be uncomfortable. No one wants to suffer. No one wants to die. But at the same time, no one wants to repent of the sins that lead to death.

That’s why Jesus appears to the disciples in the locked room. He knows they are afraid. Notice, he doesn’t go to Caiaphas’ house or Pilate’s place or Herod’s palace. He goes to the locked room. He goes to meet his fearful disciples.

He shows them his hands – his scars proving his victory over death. He shows them his feet – his wounds proving his crushing of the devil. He shows them his pierced side – his laceration proving his triumph over sin. He comforts their fearful hearts saying, “Peace be with you” (John 20:21).

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Jesus says to you, “Peace be with you.” He wants you to know the kind of peace that quiets the soul and removes fear from the heart. No matter what circumstances you face, Jesus’ wounds prove he is the victorious, powerful, and ever-living Savior.

Jesus’ freshly pierced side and nail-scarred hands and feet prove to you who he is and what he has done for you. He has covered the cost of your salvation. This is not a teacher with wounds or a man with wounds – this is your God with wounds! Those wounds prove that your anger is forgiven. Your fear is melted away. Your frustration is removed. Your peace with God is regained.

Your cause for separation from God – sin – has been paid for. Your biggest bully – Satan – has been crushed. Your greatest fear – death – has been conquered. And if your greatest enemy is dead, then there is nothing else to be afraid of.

Peace was the only thing the disciples were missing in their locked room. Peace is the one thing we can’t shop for while we are sequestered. Peace is the main thing Jesus breathes upon his disciples.

Jesus offers us proof he is alive and sin is dead. The holy holes in Jesus’ hands, feet, and side are proof that God the Father has accepted his Son’s sacrifice. Our debt to God is paid. It is finished. Hell is closed to us. Heaven is opened to us.

Spring sports, confirmation ceremonies, graduation parties, work, vacation, surgery … All of us had plans. Everything was organized, arranged, and put into our calendars. Then suddenly all our well-laid plans became disorganized, broken, and scattered. Your plans have fallen through.

When you are sequestered with only your anger, frustration, and fear to keep you company, what do you do?

Repent. Repent of your anger, frustration, and fear.

And remember Jesus’ promises.

Remember that because Jesus has defeated your greatest enemy of death, you have nothing left to fear. Replace your fear of dying and everything else with a renewed trust in the Lord who is in control of all things. Recall the resurrected Jesus appearing behind locked doors. Rejoice that you have a powerful, victorious, and ever-living Savior.

He comes to you behind your locked doors with the exact words you need to hear right now, “Peace be with you” (John 20:26).