2nd Sunday of Easter
Text: John 20:19-31
The Testimony that Blesses Us (29-31)
Dear sons of Adam and daughters of Eve who, by virtue
of Baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus, are also sons and
daughters of the King.
This morning we witnessed Kyle’s new birth into God’s
family. The reason we are God’s children is that Jesus died and rose from the
dead. As I look over this congregation, I see that God’s family includes people
of every age, from every part of the world, and from all walks of life. In
spite of all our differences, we assemble together to joyfully worship the
Triune God. What unites us is that great confession -- Christ is Risen! Paul put it nicely, “If you confess with your mouth,
‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved (Romans
What a diverse group of people we are! Most of us
were not even born in this city or even in this country. We come together from
four continents and about 30 different countries. What a diversity of language
and cultures! Yet, we are the children of God based upon a common confession.
As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost next month, the day God gave His Holy
Spirit to His church, we will celebrate the diversity of gifts we have been
blessed with.
We do not, however, gather here for any old reason,
or for the purpose of simply gathering. The sons and daughters of the King,
you, have come to hear the Good News of God in Christ -- the Gospel that
transcends culture, economic status, geographic boundaries, personality types,
and educational levels. You have come to hear that Christ is risen
and praise the Lord for emptying the grave of its power over you. Therefore,
rejoice in this good news you sons and daughters of the King!
Today we heard about Thomas, the twin, or, as we know
him better, doubting Thomas. I am so glad that Thomas is mentioned in the
Bible. Here is someone I can really identify with, and I am sure many of you do
too. We have all had our doubts about Jesus and the Bible. This story of Jesus’
doubting disciple shows us that doubting is a normal part of being a follower
of Jesus.
There are two kinds of doubting, however: One good
and one bad. The bad kind of doubting is one that simply rejects something
because of a stubborn heart and mind. That kind of doubt is deadly, especially
when it comes to faith in Christ. The other kind of doubt wants to believe, but
isn’t quite sure yet. It is a doubt that seeks to understand. This doubting is
truly open-minded. This kind of doubt is healthy, because it leads to
understanding. Without having this kind of doubt our faith would be very
shallow.
Thomas had this kind of doubt, because as soon as he
saw Jesus, he was delighted and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” He wanted to
believe, but he needed proof. And Jesus supplied that proof most convincingly,
dispelling any doubts Thomas had.
But what about us? Does Jesus give us proof
of His resurrection? Yes, but not in the same way as Thomas. Thomas was one of
the Twelve who was a witness of Jesus’ ministry from the time of His Baptism to
His Ascension. In order for Him to be a reliable eyewitness of the resurrected
Lord, Thomas had to see Jesus. He had to be fully convinced of the
resurrection, otherwise he would be a lousy witness.
That is why Jesus showed Himself to Thomas so that he
would be completely convinced that nothing funny was going on here. Because of
that, Thomas and all the rest of the disciples are excellent witnesses of the
resurrection. They were prepared to sacrificed their
lives for what they had seen. Thomas ended up in
Jesus tells Thomas “Because you have seen me, you
have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (
Why does God put such emphasis on believing versus
seeing? This may have something to do with how God wants us to know Him. Jesus
told His disciples, “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but
if I go, I will send Him to you” (16:7). So the benefit we get for not “seeing”
Jesus is that we receive the Counselor, the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes I have wondered what it must have been like
to see Jesus, say, to have Him walk in here and just do His thing. Wouldn’t
that be wonderful? Wouldn’t that be better than just having the Holy Spirit?
That certainly would eliminate any doubts, but as we have learned, doubt is
important for developing a mature faith. And consider these promises of Jesus:
“Anyone who has faith in me will do even greater things than these, because I
am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name…” (
Furthermore, Jesus is not really absent. Jesus says,
the Counselor “will bring glory to me by taking what is mine and making it
known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. The Spirit will take from
what is mine and make it known to you” (
Do you see the difference in the two ways of “seeing”
Jesus? Seeing Him physically and knowing Him intimately? It’s like the
difference in relationship between a friendship and a loving marriage. The one
simply involves two singles while the other is the creation of a new entity
called “a couple.” That is how Christ wants us to know Him: Not just as a
friend, but most intimately in the Sacraments. In Baptism we were united to
Him; in the Holy Supper He comes even closer and far more meaningfully than if
He were sitting right next to you.
Since faith is not based upon seeing, it cannot be
the result of our own intellectual understanding either, for then it would be
on very shaky ground. Rather, believing the testimony that Jesus is alive is
the result of God’s work in us. Through the hearing of the testimony, the Holy
Spirit works faith in our hearts. Opening our minds and hearts to the promises
of God’s Word the Holy Spirit moves us from doubting to believing.
Finally, there is one more very important reason we
cannot see Jesus: So that we would see Him in each other. As we have all
received the Holy Spirit in our Baptism, we now bear Christ’s name and Christ
lives in us. What does this mean? As Jesus appears to His disciples He tells them:
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am
sending you… Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone their sins, they
are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
How does Jesus show Himself to the people of our
world? By the way His disciples practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is the most
powerful demonstration of love. In the original Greek, the word “to forgive”
also means “to release.” As you forgive someone, you release them from judgment
and from the hellfire. Since God has released us from such a fate, it is our
privilege as bearers of His name to do the same to others.
The particular commission Jesus gives His disciples
to forgive and to retain sins has to do with the Pastoral office, the calling
to grant absolution to all who repent and confess their sins. Those who hear
the forgiveness pronounced by their pastor are here assured by Jesus, that they are indeed forgiven by Him. Having been
freed from God’s judgment we forgive each other. It is by this wonderful _expression
of love that God extends His kingdom through ordinary people, people who are
His beloved sons and daughters.
Having been blessed by the powerful witness of
Christ’s resurrection and the experience of His love in your lives, may you too
be the source of blessing for many. Amen.