Second Sunday of Easter

Acts 4:32–35 RSVCE

Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.

Psalm 133 RSVCE

A Song of Ascents. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore.

1Jo 1.1-2.2

1 John 1:1–2:2 RSVCE

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Joh 20.19-31

John 20:19–31 RSVCE

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Sermon: either go with 1Jo and emphasize “Walk in the light” or with Joh 19 and “Believing without seeing.” Fleshing out the choices

1Jo “flee sin and walk in the light” and Joh 19 supports that because we have faith, not faith in faith, but faith in the risen Christ. His grace is the only thing that can get us and keep us on the road in the light. If we’ve stumbled, confess and return and accept God’s “you are forgiven.” Forgive yourself, live today as today, not looking back. Forgive others, spouse, neighbor, relative, friend, extend to them the same grace you have been given.

Joh 20 it’s ok to have doubts, just be honest to God that you are wrestling with them and ask him to speak into them. We are one week after Easter, maybe Jesus death and resurrection seems like a story in a book, or not relevant to me today, or so marvellous it is almost beyond belief. God will meet you exactly where you are. Suffice it to say the resurrection did happen, no one found Jesus’ body, all but one of the twelve apostles died a violent death so they were not making this up. But come to the Lord with your questions and doubts and complaints about religion and lay them there before God. Expect God to answer them, even if in a small way. Our response, when we are convinced, will be like Thomas who exclaimed “My Lord, and my God!” That is living the life of Easter and the resurrection, fully convinced, humbled, joyful, at shalom with God.