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April 11, 2021-Second Sunday of Easter
Old Testament Psalm 133
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
John 20: 19-31 – Jesus Appears to His Disciples
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands an side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
Jesus Appears to Thomas
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus cam. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 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!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here’ see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Thomas Doubted. Do We?
In our lesson from the Gospel of John on that first Resurrection day, we find
the disciples together in with the doors locked because of fear of the Jews and
the Romans. Suddenly Jesus was there saying to them “Peace be with you!”
He showed the disciples the wounds in his hands and side. The disciples were
filled with joy at seeing the risen Jesus. He then breathed on them and told
them to receive the Holy Spirit and gave them instructions for their witness to
the world. But Thomas was not present in the room.
Thomas who was referred to as the twin with some folks thinking he was
Jesus’ brother. He is not mentioned in the gospel accounts except in the lists of
those called by the Lord as the twelve disciples until Jesus begins his journey
to Jerusalem after hearing about Lazarus being ill. Many of the disciples
thought Jesus should not go to Bethany where Lazarus and his sisters Martha
and Mary lived because they were afraid for Jesus. Since Jesus was
determined to make this trip, Thomas spoke up and told all the disciples that
they all should go with him even if they had to die with him. Since Jesus had
been threatened before they could see nothing but danger ahead. Thomas was
not optimistic about the outcome of the visit but was ready to go anyway.
After Lazarus was raised from the grave. Jesus was more determined to
challenge and face the religious and secular authorities in Jerusalem. His
followers were encouraged by the greetings and outpouring of good will as
Jesus entered the city with joyful Hosannas and Blessed is, He who comes in
the name of the Lord. As the week moved forward, Jesus spoke more and
more about having to die. He told the disciples that he was the way, the truth
and the life and would lead them through the trials to salvation.
Thomas being a pessimist had great difficulty relating to the Lord having to
give up his life to bring salvation to his people. Jesus understood Thomas and
did not give him a lecture, but just tried to assure him that all would work
out. Thomas followed as Jesus was arrested, harassed, beaten, and then put to
death on the cross. Thomas could not find the meaning in His dying and could
not accept the promise of Jesus rising from the dead. Along with his brother
disciples Thomas went into hiding. We stayed in hiding, until the first day of
The week when the women returned from the tomb and told us of their
experience of the messenger in the tomb saying Christ was risen from the
dead. Thomas still could not believe; his mind questioned how this could
happen.
When Thomas returned to the upper room, the others told him of Jesus
coming to them while he was out. He could not believe that Jesus was alive,
which is where history began to call him a doubter and gave him the
nickname of Doubting Thomas. Thomas boldly stated that he would not
believe in the resurrected Jesus until he put his fingers in the anil prints and
his hand in the sword wound in Jesus’ side.
As Thomas made these statements, suddenly Jesus appeared in the room and
called Thomas to his side. Jesus had him put his fingers in the nail prints and
his hand in the wound min his side. All Thomas could do was fall in his knees
before the Lord and proclaim My Lord and My God!
Jesus did not chew Thomas out for wanting physical proof or for asking such
bold questions. He did ask Thomas about those who would come to believe in
the resurrection without seeing the physical risen Christ. Those who have and
will come to believe through God’s love and the Holy Spirit without seeing the
physical risen Lord.
Thomas went on to serve the Risen Lord as his ambassador as the gospel was
spread and the Church grew.
Now that we have heard the account of Thomas and his doubts, what about us
have we had doubts about the resurrection of Jesus and have yearned to have
the experience of seeing him physically in our presence.
Thanks to the Holy Spirit for erasing my doubts and leading me to knowing
and loving the Risen Savior. May each of us through the Spirit see any doubts
we have eliminated from our life and witness.
Now, let us go forth boldly proclaiming that He lives and because He lives, we
also live a new and wonderful life filled with God’s forgiveness and love.
Every day may each of us tell the old old story of Jesus and his love with
excitement and joy. A-men.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, be with us as we go back into our world of many choices and
trials, keep us focused on you and guide us through the Holy Spirit. Lift us
when our doubts are moving us away from your path. Fill each of us and your
church with the joy of Christ’s living presence. In His precious name. A-men.