This year’s celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is going to be quite different. Church buildings are going to be empty. No sunrise services. No choir anthems. No congregations cheering, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

Instead, it’s going to be quiet. The inhabitants of earth will be sheltering in their homes.

Did you know that the followers of Jesus were doing the very same thing on the first Easter Sunday? It’s true! Other than their essential travel to see the empty grave, the disciples spent the day sheltering in a locked house because they were afraid. Sound familiar? John tells the story this way:

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you!” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you!” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

So the disciples spend the first Easter Sunday sheltering in a locked home, and eight days later it appears they were still doing the same thing. It’s true, we’re about to have an Easter just like the first one.

And just like the first one, Jesus is going to meet with us. An amazing event took place at the very moment that Jesus died on the cross. Matthew describes it this way, “At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27:51.

The curtain or veil of the temple served a very special purpose. It defined an area called The Most Holy Place. This was where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. It was the dwelling place of the Spirit of God. It was so holy that only the High Priest was able to enter it — and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

Two amazing changes are represented by the tearing of the curtain. First, the royal priesthood of all believers was established. See I Peter 2:9. Every believer, through Jesus Christ, would be able to enter into the holy presence of God and serve as the mediators of the New Covenant. And second, the presence of God would no longer be contained within the Holy of Holies. Instead, God would live in the house of His choosing — and you are that house! See I Corinthians 3:16. Can you picture God tearing that curtain from top to bottom so that His Spirit could rush out of the temple and commune with His people? What an extraordinary moment!

Friends, we are going to celebrate Easter at home, but be assured, Jesus is going to meet with us! He doesn’t live in a church building and He’s not held captive in a sanctuary. No my friends, He is with us! And He will be in every home with every believer! Even locked doors will not keep Him from meeting with you. It’s going to be an Easter just like the first one.

The disciples were afraid on the first Easter — and many of us are too. The threat we are facing may be different, but the fear is just the same. In the midst of the pandemic Jesus is saying, “Peace be with you!” The world has been turned upside down and the future seems terribly uncertain. Jesus knows that what we’re facing is real — and that is the very reason He is reassuring us with His peace. Can you hear Him? Do you trust Him? After visiting the empty grave, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary “hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy.” To them Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” He is saying the same to us. It’s an Easter just like the first one.

Thomas didn’t believe. He chose to be skeptical even though all of his friends were trying to convince him that Jesus was alive. Do you have doubts? My friend, you are not alone. Many of us started out as skeptics, just like Thomas. If you’re struggling with doubt, Jesus is declaring to you today, “Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” His Spirit and His grace are ready to meet you. He is with you right now and ready to restore you to eternal life. Don’t be faithless any longer. Trust Him and He will do it! It’s an Easter just like the first one.

One last thought. Did you know that Jesus talked about you when He was talking with Thomas? Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” In that phrase, He is talking about you and me. We have believed without seeing the proof that Thomas was given. And for that bold faith, Jesus declares that we are blessed — and that blessing rests on us even in the midst of a pandemic. Receive it and walk boldly in that blessing. He will give you a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace the world can’t give, and a peace it cannot take away. See Philippians 4:7 and John 14:27.

Friends, we’re about to celebrate an Easter just like the first one. Be filled with joy! Don’t let this incredible opportunity escape your notice just because you can’t go to a church and do the usual things. Remember, you are the Church! Jesus is already with you! He has set you free! You are the royal priesthood! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Let’s make this Easter the most amazing moment the world has ever experienced — just like the first one!