John 20:19-31

Peace be to you. Those were the words that Jesus said to the disciples. A beautiful phrase.

It’s a common greeting even today in some countries. Peace to you. I am guessing that in those places people put as much thought into that phrase as when we ask, “How are you?” even though we haven’t given much thought to how people really are. Do they really wish peace upon that person, or are they just polite?

“Peace to you” and then we move on—like a passing hello, a nod of the head, a farmer wave.

Yet, there are times when, “How are you, really means, “How are you.” There are sometimes that there is truly a desire for peace. This greeting was welcomed.

Here were 10 of the disciples. Judas was dead. Thomas was elsewhere. They are gathered together in a room, doors locked, wondering and waiting if the religious authorities are coming for them next.

They were viewed as religious criminals. Their leader crucified.

Peter and the other disciple, whom we think is John, have seen the empty tomb, but they haven’t seen Jesus. Things are all up in the air. There’s grief, confusion, anxiety, and fear all wrapped up in that room.

And then Jesus appears.

“Peace be with you.”

He holds out his hands. Pulls his robe from his waist and shows them his side. Jagged nail holes. A wicked cut in his side. But it didn’t seem to matter.

Jesus was really there in flesh and blood.

For theologians—they want to ask—was this Jesus’ heavenly body or something in between? There had to be something unsettling about the wounds—were they still open, but it didn’t seem to matter. Were they healed, but the scars remained?

Some are looking at theological controversy—Was Jesus really there? Jesus wasn’t a ghost. He was flesh and blood. Touchable. Physical. It was better than a phone call or a letter. He was with them—as much as he was ever with them.

We need to remember that....

The risen Lord gives us peace.

The integrity and trustworthiness of the Bible rests on the fact that the tomb is empty and that Jesus rose again.

If we want to read one verse or another for encouragement or guidance, or for whatever reason, for those words to be authentic and true, we need to believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus. We aren’t given the privilege to say, I believe this, but don’t believe that.

It is Jesus, then, present with disciples who gives them the orders as well as the courage to leave that room and begin the part of the ministry that Jesus had called them to.

John 20:21 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

We are sent.

What does that mean?

Identity: In all areas of life, may our faith be part of who we are, rather than just one piece of many. When asked who we are, we give answers that are in line with the context.

personal

work

choices

Witness

to our families

to our communities

to the stranger

Sent with the Father’s love and support

We are not alone

John 20:22–23 NIV

And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

As those who are sent, we don’t go alone. We go with the presence of the Holy Spirit—Jesus breathing, blowing, was a foreshadowing of what would happen after Jesus’ ascension—the Pentecost gift of the Holy Spirit.

In it is this interesting verse about sins that are forgiven and not forgiven. We shouldn’t misunderstand this text. Jesus isn’t giving us or the church any extra power. As one person said, the church can only declare what God has already done.

At it’s heart this is just the central part of the gospel, which we review weekly during the time of confession and assurance. We simply affirm what Jesus has already done. If we confess our sins and work to turn away from them, we are forgiven in Jesus’ name. If we refuse to recognize our sins and repent, we aren’t forgiven. The disciples and everyone who follows are asked to be faithful witnesses.

Witnesses.

This gets us to the second half of the text—Thomas—also called Didymus—which means twin—wasn’t there when Jesus first appeared.

He makes the bold statement that we remember:

John 20:25 NIV

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.”

We might look down on Thomas—but if the disciples hadn’t seen for themselves—how many other doubters would there have been?

There is real power in seeing things. Think of the times you have seen something beautiful, or funny, or interesting— “Come, look! You’ve got to see this!” We’re born skeptics. We are accustomed to saying, “I don’t believe it.” We are used to saying, “You’re not going to believe this, but…” Or, when we want to emphasize something, we say, “You better believe it.”

Would we have said the same?

Jesus appears to disciples again, and this visit seems directed specifically to Thomas.”

Once again Jesus gives the common greeting, then he turns to Thomas. No other conversation is recorded. The room many have been filled with disciples, but this was between Jesus and Thomas.

John 20:27 NIV

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 replies:

John 20:28 NIV

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Let us remember

The risen Lord conquers our doubt.

Is the Bible true? If we believe the Bible is true, then we believe that the tomb is empty and that Jesus Christ is alive. If Jesus is alive, then let that knowledge conquer our doubt.

That takes living to a new level—what are your priorities? How are you going to use your time? What does this knowledge inspire us to do?

Sometimes we use religion to control people. We hold people down by power or guilt. This is my observation.

Guilt can only motivate so long. However, if our motivation is faith rooted in love, we can be fueled indefinitely.

Guilt can only motivate so long. Love can fuel you indefinitely.

Guilt makes us say, I’ll do my part, or maybe a little more, but there is a limit.

Love says, I will give until I have given everything.

Guilt makes us come up with excuses. Love perseveres, endures, and pursues.

What is Jesus calling you to do?

Finally, Jesus tells Thomas,

John 20:29 NIV

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

We are those blessed people—we have not seen, but we believe. Because of this.

The risen Lord blesses those who live in faith.

Thomas had the benefit of seeing Jesus face to face. We read in the gospels that in the time between his resurrection and ascension into heaven, that Jesus appeared to the disciples and to many others.

We have not yet seen him. We might say that we’ve God at work, but we haven’t seen him face to face. Jesus says we are blessed.

If we have not seen him face to face, we are blessed.

In the meantime, we have this interesting challenge. As Christ’s witnesses, we are to show people Jesus.

A simple challenge for you. Until that day when Jesus comes again, show people Jesus.

As Jesus’ witnesses, we are to do the next best thing than having Jesus physically in the room with us. I want to challenge each of us into striving to be the people who are so inspired, spirit-filled, and convicted about the living Lord—that you represent Christ wherever you are.

It means when you walk into a room, you make it better with your presence—because you embody the love and values of Jesus.

This might mean we have to evaluate our attitudes and actions. Instead of settling for the lowest expectations, we have to elevate our living. Yet, to do less, allows room for doubt that Jesus resurrection really matters.

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

See Christ in your life today. Represent Christ in the lives of others today.

Christ’s peace be with you.