It had been a long day.  Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb to find the stone rolled away, and angels who said that the tomb was empty because Jesus was alive (Luke 24:1-8).  Later, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-17); also to two of Jesus’ followers who lived in Emmaus (Luke 24:33-35).  But Jesus’ disciples did not know quite what to make of these reports.  They were very frightened, assuming that the authorities who crucified Jesus would target them now that the body of Jesus was missing.

The locked and barred entrance could neither ease their fear nor give them peace.  Fear takes a grip when our learned experience tells us that there is no good way through our circumstances; only disaster awaits.  Fear has no hope except to be consumed by the problem.  Fear is isolating and loveless.  John, who was one of the fearful disciples later wrote, “There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love”. (1 John 4:18)      

So, when the loving Lord Jesus came to the disciples, the locked door could not keep Him out, any more than the huge millstone could lock Jesus into the tomb [the stone was not miraculously removed to let Jesus out but to let the disciples in to see that He had gone (Luke 24:11-12)].  Jesus was alive but now with a new kind of body which could pass through walls, appearing and then disappearing.  Yet His body was fully recognisable and retained the marks of the wounds in His hands and side (John 20:27).  The reaction of the disciples was of overwhelming joy!  His familiar greeting, ‘Shalom’ in Aramaic was a profound word extending far beyond Eastern pleasantries and the English understanding of ‘Peace be with you’.  It was more like ‘May everything that is good from God come to you with His peace, making good the past and restoring the future’.  It took on a new meaning as their grief and fear were swept away by His loving presence.
 
Jesus brings peace.  He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).  It has been said that peace and joy are linked.  F B Meyer said: ‘Joy is peace dancing. Peace is joy at rest.’  They are both fruit of the Holy Spirit’s presence (Galatians 5:22).  Peace and joy both come when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ, and stop trying to protect ourselves - letting the authority of Christ be our defence.  Although our circumstances will never be the same as those disciples, every time we think that things are out of our control we will feel down and want to hide away; but every time we trust Jesus to take control we will experience His peace and His joy.