“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”
— John 20:26
It had been a full week since the world turned upside down.
A week since thorns pierced His brow.
A week since the sun darkened and the earth shook.
A week since the heavy stone sealed what felt like all their hopes inside a grave.
And even though the tomb was empty, the house was still locked.
Fear lingered. Questions remained. Even joy, when it peeked through, was shadowed by uncertainty.
Thomas had not yet seen.
The others had seen and still struggled to believe fully.
Could it really be true? Could hope survive wounds that deep?
One week after the resurrection, the disciples were still hiding, learning that resurrection is not just an event — it’s a re-making of the heart.
And then, quietly, Jesus came. Again.
Through locked doors.
Through locked hearts.
Through the silence of a wounded faith.
And He spoke the same words He had spoken before: “Peace be with you.”
He did not shame their slow belief. He did not condemn their careful hope. Instead, He came closer. He showed His wounds again. He invited Thomas to touch, to see, to believe.
This is the Jesus who meets us even after the first hallelujah fades.
The Jesus who understands that sometimes it takes more than a morning to heal a broken hope. The Jesus who comes again, not once but as many times as it takes, until faith takes root.
If today you find yourself like Thomas — still waiting, still wondering, still aching for proof — know this:
Jesus is not afraid of your doubts. He is not offended by your questions. He will come to you. Through every locked place. Over every fear. Through every moment of silent waiting.
And when He comes, He still speaks the words we need most:
“Peace be with you.”
Let’s pray-
Lord, You come to us even when the doors of our hearts are locked. You come to us even when fear still lingers and faith feels fragile. Thank You for your patience, for your peace, and for your presence that never leaves. Teach us to trust You in the waiting.
Help us to see Your wounds and know they have made a way for our healing. Breathe peace into the places where doubt still whispers,
and remind us that You are always near, even when we cannot yet see.in Jesus’ name, amen.”