In times of pain, you can feel locked away, with no exit sign or an entrance for God into your world. Things seem impossible; but the truth is, the risen, reigning Christ is not limited to closed doors. There is always a hidden door of hope in the waiting room of faith.
It’s the Monday after Easter and I have a special word for you.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I should explain that it’s not so much my word that I want to give you today, but the word of John Piper. Because I was so blessed by his Easter sermon describing exactly what happened that first day of the week, right after the resurrection of Jesus. And when I listen to it, for me, it was so inspiring, so encouraging, I felt I just had to pass it on to you today. It’s based on John 20:19 where it says, “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being closed where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” Now, here’s what John Piper has to say about that verse.
“Surely the implication of this Easter story is this: when the door of hope has been closed, and we are locked in the dark room of our fear and can see no exit for us and no entrance for God, our comfort is that the risen, reigning Christ is not limited to human doors. What is impossible with men is possible with God. [For as John 20 describes], the door was shut. And Jesus was suddenly in their midst. When we have experienced the slamming of a door, the darkening of a room, or the rising of fear, the risen Christ is not frustrated in getting to us. Without any doors we can see, there is a hidden door of hope in the waiting room of faith. [Is there a closed door in your life right now?] Well then you can write “open” over every closed door today, no matter how dark that room. And the waiting of faith will be rewarded.” And then John Piper goes on to say, “No matter how dark the room where you live, no matter how tight the door that has slammed, the great word of the resurrection is open! When it looks like he is buried for good, Jesus is doing something awesome in the dark. Jesus is at work in the dark places. So trust him and go with him, no matter what. You cannot lose in the end.”
Wow! I hope those words by Dr. Piper inspire you today, as they did for me. Because we all have experienced the slamming of a door, or the claustrophobic feeling of anxiety and fear on the rise. We’ve experienced the darkening of a room or even a home where the door of hope has been tightly closed. I know I have felt this. With my paralysis and pain, I have at times felt so locked away, and I can see no exit for me and no entrance for God into my world. Things seem impossible; how will I do it, how will I manage; how can I go on? But the truth is, the Gospel truth is that the risen, reigning Christ is not limited to closed doors. Because just like that first day of the week right after the resurrection, Jesus appeared. Jesus is suddenly in the midst of things. Jesus was in no way frustrated in getting there. And for me? In my paralysis? I think my favorite line in this sermon by Dr. Piper is where he says, “Even where there seem to be no doors, there is a hidden door of hope in the waiting room of faith. And the waiting room of faith will always be rewarded.
Let me say that if you’d like to hear the entire sermon by Dr. John Piper, visit joniradio.org where I’ve posted a link to it. John Piper’s message is called “The Risen Christ, His Peace, Power and Purpose.” Just go to joniradio.org where you’ll find a link to the whole sermon.
© Joni and Friends