A reflection following John 20.19-23

The disciples are afraid, the one they have been following and apprenticed to for the last three years has been tortured and executed. And now, on that first day of a new week they receive strange news: his tomb is empty — he’s risen. Fearful and confused they gather together seeking a sense of safety.

It is here Jesus appears to his disciples, hidden behind locked doors in fear. He’s not waiting for them to be ok, or to get themselves sorted. His presence with them is not conditional. 

“It’s ok not to be ok” has moved from therapeutic language into everyday conversation. It’s ok not to be ok — not meaning everything is fine, but that you are welcome here as you are.

We each know our own not-ok-ness. Whether that’s fear, confusion, over-whelm, ill health, restlessness, malaise, tiredness, anxiety, burn out, low, or lost vision. It’s these people, these not-ok people, Jesus comes to and says “peace be with you”. To people like these he freely gives his Spirit, releasing them to be like him in the world.

It’s Eastertide, Pentecost is coming. Many of us may say: we’re not ok and we’re not ready. Yet here is Jesus and he’s breathing his Spirit on us. Receive.

[first written June 2020]