Scripture Readings: 1 Peter 1:3–9 & John 20:19–31
Jesus is risen indeed! We can call this Sunday Thomas Sunday. Today is also called the Second Sunday of Easter and is meant to be the joyous continuation of the Easter celebration for 50 days. Every Sunday is more like the Sunday after Easter. May we spend the 50 days with the joy of walking with Risen Christ during the season of Easter.
Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb, but she did not believe until the risen Christ appeared and spoke to her directly, personally. When she told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, the disciples dismissed her words, because they had not seen for themselves, and locked themselves in a room to hide. On Easter evening, Jesus appeared and showed them his hands and his side, and it was only then that the disciples rejoiced.
We could hear the good news, but we were not there. We did not see and touch and experience it for ourselves. We all have different questions and our own doubts in a world that clings to certainty and observed truth. People are often locked up in their questions, doubts, and experiences of hurt and shame. People sometimes lock out of each other’s life, communally or individually or unintentionally. However, the Easter message invites us to be in joy and peace and to break walls and barriers between individuals and communities even in our doubts and questions. How might we look and touch the world with more grace and love?
It is common to focus on Thomas and his doubts, and he is often called as “doubting Thomas.” In today’s text, the word translated as “doubt” is not one of the common Greek words for doubt. Its literal meaning would be closer to “without faith” or “unbelief.” Jesus graciously provides Thomas with what he needs to move from unbelief to belief. Jesus bestows Spirit upon the community. John shifts the focus from the empty tomb to a resurrection appearance of Jesus. Empty tomb became a testimony to Jesus’ presence in the life of God, and the appearance of resurrected Jesus became hope to those frightened disciples and their communities.
In today’s text, Jesus is among them, speaking directly to their fear: “Peace be with you.” It recalls the words of comfort that he had spoken at the Last Supper: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (14:27). The words of peace from chapter 20 come from the resurrected Lord. Peace comes from the knowledge and experience that God’s compassion and care embodied in Jesus stands again and rises again in their fear, difficulties, and suffering. Their focus was not only crucifixion or empty tomb, but also the risen Lord.
As Jesus breathed on the disciples and told them to receive the Holy Spirit, these words recall the promises of the Spirit who would sustain them. Jesus’ act of breathing on the disciples also recalls the creative breath of God bringing life into being in Genesis 2:7 and new life to the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:9. The disciples are promised the power of the same Spirit who sustained Jesus in the wilderness and through his ministry. The Holy spirit enables Joyous life to form and flourish in us. Thus, missional individuals and communities are made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, who represents the continuing presence of the risen Christ and the creative power of God.
The disciples were lifted and energised to worship and serve again. The mission entrusted to disciples is extended by continuing the work of making God and God’s ways known in the world. The purpose of this Spirit-filled mission is to offer the new and renewed life that the risen Christ promises.
In verse 20, Jesus showed his disciples his hands and his side and gave his first blessing of peace. In verse 25, Thomas wanted to see Jesus for himself: “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” . When Jesus appeared to disciples including Thomas again a week after, Jesus told Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe” (v. 27).
Jesus gave them a second chance to touch, see, and believe without expressing impatience. When Jesus says to him, “Stop doubting and believe”, Thomas moves quickly from a doubting talker to willing worshiper and believer. He said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” Our faith in the resurrection is a true blessing.
Jesus said to him, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe” (v. 29). Those who gathered for worship on the second Sunday of Worship did not go to the empty tomb and see the risen Christ for themselves in their physical eyes, yet many of them believed. Blessings on them and us, says Jesus. The blessing spoken by Jesus and recorded in John falls on those who have not seen but believe. Jesus’ blessing of them is Jesus’ blessing of us as well. When it comes to invisible blessing or spiritual truth, may we be prepared to believe what we have not seen.
It is good news that Jesus blessed Thomas as well. Jesus does not give the same prescription to everyone. He approaches his followers in different ways because our experiences are different and our approaches to life are various. He finds a way to bless us according to our characters and personality.
That is the way Jesus handles doubt. He gives us what we need. Especially he gives us peace, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus’ blessing. John concludes today’s text by commenting, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through him you may have life in his name” (vv. 30–31). May we invite others to the Risen Christ and see God’s glory in our lives.
1 Peter 1:3–9 brings words of encouragement and love and blessing. It testifies to the next generations of faith: “although you have not seen [Jesus], you love him…even though you do not see Jesus now, you believe in him.” Believers live in trust and hope of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The way of living as Christ-followers is one of joy, even in the presence of suffering.
“Peace be with you.” Jesus brought peace to his disciples. Jesus had promised to relieve the disciples’ grief by replacing it with joy, and He fulfilled that promise. Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He continues to say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Now he sends his people out to witness. Jesus gave them peace, mission as witness, and the Holy Spirit. He is giving us His peace, mission as resurrection witness, and the Holy Spirit.
Our Risen Christ is with us, and the Holy Spirit helps us to live in hope. May we work with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the message of crucifixion and resurrection as resurrection witness. In the repeated retelling of the Resurrection, there is a time when the fear moves over, and confidence begins. May we be sent out in that confidence, where we become resurrection witnesses in His presence.
“The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)