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!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19, 20

The disciples, with Judas, ate the Last Supper in the upper room in Jerusalem, their first time to celebrate the Passover in the capital of Israel and their last time to eat with Jesus before his death.

A short time after the meal Jesus was a prisoner of the Jews.  Judas killed himself, Peter had claimed to those around the fire that he never knew Jesus.  Of the other disciples we read nothing.  Jesus died on the cross, alone.

The disciples barricaded themselves behind locked doors, fearful that they might be apprehended, too, because they were all Galileans, followers of Jesus whom they just saw crucified, now dead.  We have no record about what they may have discussed there but they had not the slightest notion that Jesus is alive, even though he had told them that he would be.  They huddled in fear of the Jewish leaders.

This represents all of us when hope is gone.  We try to find a way apart from Jesus.   But that never works.

In an instant, everything changed for them.  Jesus went right through their locked doors, their human fright, and in an amazing moment – stood there before them, saying, “Peace be with you!”  He showed them his hands that were pierced with cruel nails and his side that was pierced with a sword.  The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.