An Easter Confession

Life goes by quickly.

One minute we are young and the next not as young. One minute our kids are babies and then somehow they start to grow up and quickly go to college. If we are not careful we will miss many thigns due to the speed of life.

We fear missing out on something special.

There was a youth leader I worked with in Hamilton who told the story of a feat of baseball that was “missed”. The day was September 16, 1988 and there was rain. The Red’s were to play the Dodgers at the old Riverfront Stadium. Unfortunately for many that day the a 2 hour 27 minute rain delayed dampened their appetite to watch a game. Yet, it would be the day Tom Browning would through a perfect game. Oh the regret of many.

Thomas missed the first appearance.

We do not know why or how. Maybe he was the one to go get food for the others. Maybe he was “late” to the gathering that day. All we know is that on the first Easter Resurrection Sunday he was not with the other 10. Oh the pain and regret once he heard the news.

Thomas could not conceive what others told him.

Let’s give him some grace. In fact, most of the disciples when they first hear the news don’t truly comprehend what had just taken place. Noone had experienced a person being resurrected by their own power. This just does not happen. Imagine the regret and maybe even shame. “I can’t believe I missed it”

Doubt can lead to greater faith.

Don’t let your questions and doubt get in the way of faith. INstead, let it be the catalyst of your faith. This is what we are seeign with Thome.

Jesus graciously comes to Thomas.

Jesus did not have to do this. Yet, in his grace Jesus will come and be with us in our doubt and unbelief so we may believe.

Jesus was the same and yet different.

Jesus was fully alive and fully human in this interaction. You cannot touch someone who is not physical.

Jesus gives peace beyond our understanding.

The grace of Jesus will lead to the peace of Jesus. The truth of the resurrection will give us a peace that allows us to overcome doubt, pain, trouble and the issues of our world.

The confession: my Lord and my God.

This is a magnificent statement. The Roman Ceasar during the time John is writing made others address him as lord and God. Yet, here we have a true confession. Not forced. Not shamed into saying. But a confession of faith and truth. We need to confess both.

Jesus still comes to skeptics.

We are all like Thomas at some point in time.

Jesus wants you to be in relationship with Him.

This is the hope of Easter.