First Week of Easter: From FEAR to LIGHT

STEP ONE: BREATHE

Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.

STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD

“Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” ”

— John 14:27

A Jesus-Story Retold: After the good news “fear not”

In the windows of the holy city, tiny oil lamps leaked beams of light that cut through the dark at strange angles. Thomas needed none of them. He knew where he was going as he walked with confidence through the streets of Jerusalem.

If only his inner spirit could match his external steps. Thomas's heart was troubled deeply. And he was afraid. Thomas would have scoffed if you told him two weeks ago that he would be sneaking out at night to avoid detection from the authorities.

But, they killed Jesus! They arrested him in the shadows of that garden a few miles away. The 'trial' and crucifixion was a mockery of everything holy. If they did that to Jesus, who was loved by the masses, the disciples did not doubt that a similar fate awaited them. They were the unimportant remnants of God's kingdom.

Fear canceled all their carefully laid plans. Now, they shuffled back and forth to their secret hideout with thoughts only of survival.

As Thomas quietly ascended the exterior staircase in the alleyway, Jesus’s promise to be with them always made less sense now then it did two weeks ago. Where was that peace that keeps fear at bay? Instead of peace, doubt and uneasiness troubled his heart.

Thomas reached the second story and paused outside a heavy wooden door. It was locked. Glancing from side to side, making sure he remained alone, his thoughts wandered again.

It was just a week ago, within that very same locked room, that the rest of them 'saw' Jesus. They touched the scars and experienced resurrection. Impossible. Such things pushed the boundary of belief beyond where Thomas was able to go. He would believe, could believe, but he would need to see it for himself.

With a closed fist, Thomas knocked on the door. A voice spoke from behind the barrier. After an exchange of passwords, the door creaked open. Thomas slid inside.

Entering the room and unfastening his outer cloak, Thomas heard the sound of the latching of the door. He was locked in a dimly lit room. Thomas's sarcastic-side kicked in. Christ is Risen! He couldn't bring himself to utter the words. Some resurrection this was! He stepped over the outstretched limbs of the lifeless disciples as he made his way to a corner of the room. Finding an open space against the wall, Thomas turned around and settled down.

Just then, the room brightened with inexplicable light! Arms went to shield eyes. Thomas rose. In the middle of the room, adorned with the sun's luster, stood a figure. Blinking to adjust his eyes, Thomas focused. Was that? No, it couldn't be? Yes! It was Jesus!

Stillness and calm, beyond all understanding, permeated the locked chamber. "Peace be with you!" A comforting presence met Thomas's fears at the core of his being. Breathing deeply - no longer did his heart seem troubled.

STEP THREE: PRAY

Gracious and loving God, there are times when it is hard to believe. So much goes on that makes me doubt. I am afraid and need Easter to be more than a holiday on a calendar. Be near in my uncertainty and uneasiness. Let me stop and breathe deeply of your presence. Fill me with Easter hope that I might catch a glimpse of your gift of resurrected life. Through Jesus, amen.

Today’s devotion is by Pastor Walt Lichtenberger. Pastor Walt serves at St. James Lutheran Church, Burnsville MN. Before coming to St. James in 2009, he served Faith Lutheran in New Providence, New Jersey.