This Week's Worship

Beyond What We See

Theme

The eleven disciples, by their own choice, closed the door on the religious and social role to which they had been called as followers of Christ. This action reflected their internalized sense of inadequacy—both in terms of who they were and what they believed themselves capable of doing. Had they truly grasped the meaning of Christ’s resurrection and trusted in His promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the door would not have remained shut. Their fear did not arise merely from external circumstances, but from within—rooted in unawareness and a failure to fully apprehend the essence of Jesus’ teachings. Consequently, they evaluated themselves only on the basis of what they could see, limiting their understanding of both their identity and their calling.

John 20:19-23

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”