04232022 – John 20. 19-31
This is important to note.
It’s been ONE WEEK since Easter, ONE WEEK since the all the CHAOS, EXCITEMENT, and DRAMA erupted, one week since the EMPTY TOMB was first discovered, one week since OUR FIRST “Alleluia” echoed and called forth a new liturgical season of the church year.
It has been ONE WEEK since the resurrection and the disciples are in the SAME PLACE they were in on Easter evening…and even before that.
They are in the same ROOM behind the same LOCKED doors.
As far as we can ascertain, this is the SAME ROOM for the last meal, the same room for the footwashing, the same room from which, Judas went out into the night. And the same room that commandment to LOVE ONE ANOTHER was given.
Nothing here has changed much…including their LOCATION.
They returned there. They stay there.
They do not move.
Apparently WHEREVER this “upper room” IS they feel SAFE, SECURE, and PROTECTED there.
Its whereabouts apparently unknown.
The “Galilean disciples” are still behind LOCKED DOORS in FEAR of the “Judean authorities.”
Chances are GOOD…
There thinking is and was SPOT ON.
The authorities would CERTAINLY ACT, immediately act and move against or upon the group IF THEY WERE FOUND OUT…
Their FEAR holds them “Gorilla Glue.”
And therefore, they remain in hiding.
A week’s time, and seemingly nothing has changed.
It is a little disconcerting to us. We want, we desire, things to move along at 2022 pace. Quickly. Immediately. Right now! Why the wait? What’s the hold up? Why the snail’s pace…
We want ACTION now!
No lingering. No sitting. No time to be scared. There is work to be done and souls to save. Come on, guys, get with it!
So, “if the resurrection” is such a big deal, so monumental, and such a life changing event, why are they still STUCK in the same EXACT place?
It is relatively easy to become disgruntled with those disciples for their inactivity.
Come on guys, get up and move…
Do SOMETHING!
It is easy to criticize them, point the finger at them, chastise them…after all we are 2000 years removed from those events, different place, different time.