On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19)

Two friends were on a hunting trip in a mountainous region in Africa. As they inched through the jungle foliage, baboons in the nearby trees began to nervously pace and howl as they stared into the bushes near the hunters. Suddenly, without warning, a large leopard leaped toward them and stopped, growling low and swishing its tail back and forth.

The hunters stopped cold paralyzed with fear. They knew that they had ventured too close to a den where there could be cubs. The leopard was protecting its turf and stared intently at the two hunters. The hunters had become the hunted.

John wrote about the apostles who had locked themselves in an upper room in fear for their lives. Ten brave men who had walked at Jesus’ side throughout His ministry now shuddered in fear of something unknown; an anger in the local people that had cost the life of their dearest friend. Their sanctuary had become their prison. “Go out and save the world” was now “stay inside and save your skin!”

Has fear in your own life created a barrier against doing something? Does it keep you from experiencing joy? Does it inhibit your service to God? Then hear Jesus’ words to his friends in a locked room: “Peace be with you!”

That same invitation to find peace in the midst of turmoil that was extended to the apostles long ago is also an invitation to each one of us to find peace in Jesus and not let the world frighten us into inactivity and nothingness. That same peace is for each of us if we will only reach out and take it.

God of peace and love, remind us that fear is not a thing that comes from You. Peace is the gift You offer!