Second Sunday of Easter

Upon hearing the lessons for this Sunday and taking a peek at the bulletin cover, it’s very easy for us to come to the conclusion that this Sunday is about Thomas - doubting Thomas. It’s the Sunday that we get to peer into the unfaithful utterance of one of the disciples and maybe begin to think to ourselves, “At least I’m not like him!” If that’s the pinhole view of today’s readings from the Bible we wish to take, then perhaps we miss a bigger lesson - we miss the bigger picture.

When it comes to the issue of faith, I’m not sure there’s any of us in this ark that can say with full confidence that they are solid - 100% unshakable - when it comes to faith. Beyond that, there’s also the conversation that could and should be had about to which faith are we referring? I suggest to you that when you fear, you have placed your faith in something other than the one true God. For true Christian faith is the belief in the fact that Jesus has lived, died, and risen again as true God and true man for the sake of paying the debt owed by your sin and removing the consequence of that sin - death - eternal death. Christian faith is the confession that Jesus Christ is the world’s only Savior and Redeemer.

So, faith in the one true God, then, does not see the circumstances of life as means of fear and worry. Will it happen, yes. But again, when we allow fear to grip our lives - allow worry to rule the mind - take some time to evaluate to whom or what you are relying upon in the midst of that circumstance as your means of comfort and peace.

With that in mind, let us look to the disciples. “The doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews.” (John 20:19) Of what were they afraid? Yes, it tells us the Jews. But of what? Well, we know the very thing - the fact that the Jews had put Jesus to death. The One in whom they hoped would change all things was dead - or was He? He had appeared to some, word is getting around that Jesus is, indeed, alive. But how could that be so? If so, what does that mean for anyone associated with Him? These men who feast upon the abundance of power - if they did what they did with Jesus, what would they do with those who followed and associated with Him?

Logical thoughts and questions, right. Indeed, they are. But sinful and shallow nonetheless. Jesus even warned them, “You will all fall away because of me this night.” (Matthew 26:31) Faith in man - faith in one’s self - will always fall short in the midst of trying times because it always wants to protect itself and what it has. The world and its prince will reinforce such. It’s not about perfection they will say, only that you try your best - work hard - have people learn to believe that you’re a good person.

No! That’s, again, sinful and shallow. To put oneself as the focus of your wellbeing in this temporal life is to set yourself up for a rough go. And Scripture warns against such. “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

Wrapped in fear, the disciples have forgotten what Jesus had further taught them while with them. He had forewarned them. He had assured them that, yes trouble will come. But Jesus also assured them as He will do again before He ascends, that He will be with them always. Rather than rattle with fear, the disciples have full reason to lean upon the truth of Jesus.

And notice what that truth does - it offers peace. “Peace be with you,” Jesus says to them. Though well-deserving, He doesn’t scold them. He doesn’t ridicule them for rattling as dead bones locked in a tomb. No, Jesus enters their tomb of fear and death and gives the very thing they need - peace. He resurrects their failing souls. This peace is life. This peace is the everlasting reality of Jesus’ work of redemption and justification for the world. For the disciples, and even those who wish Him dead - for you, for me, this peace of Jesus is the very breath of life into the dead, dry bones of the sinner, that assures the faithful that all is well.

But, at times, it would seem it is not. How often and easy it is to face the adversity of the day and become inward-focused, self faithful, and demand human reason to rule the situation. Only human reason has no place in the miraculous and Divine. Sure, Jesus goes along with it, doesn’t He? He encourages Thomas to strengthen His faith by touching the Body of the Lord - by feeling the salvific wounds that bore his sin. And through the interaction, there’s the blessing of a solid confession: “My Lord, and my God!” (John 20:28)

You can relate to Thomas, though can’t you? You may think at times, “At least I’m not like him,” but in truth, you very much are. You doubt. You worry. You cheapen God’s grace. You utter a shallow confession. You do all this through the very acts of pride and self-faith. You have often tried to figure things out on your own. You’ve allowed reason to interpret life rather than the Truth that is God’s Word. You are, indeed, a sinner in need of grace. And thankfully, as clearly and plainly as was spoken to those disciples within their tomb of fear, the same words are uttered to your broken and weary soul - “Peace be with you.”

With that, there’s also a simple admonishment: “Blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Yes, the easier way is to see it and believe it. But that’s not who we are called and chosen to be. Yes, the world may scorn us for believing in the work of this one Jesus who is the Savior of the world. Yes, the intellectuals may call us week minded as we lean on this reality of faith - true faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

As children of God, we give thanks for the peace that Jesus brings - the peace that surpasses all understanding. His peace is the reconciliation of mankind to God. His peace is the blessing that drives us to give prayer, praise, and thanksgiving to a loving God - who required not the flesh and blood of us sinners but made His Son to be the ransom payment. By way of the destruction of Jesus’ flesh, we are given new flesh - we are covered by the blood of Christ, given the robe of righteousness, and filled with the breath of life that we may go about in faith. “Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5)

Like Thomas, we are invited - “like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk of the word” - to partake of the very flesh of Christ. He has given Himself so that we may find life in His very body and blood. Come forth often and partake of that which was shed for you. Open your mouth wide, and be filled with honey - salvation - from the rock - from Christ. As Jesus came by water and blood, so you become. You become God’s own child through the water from the side of the Savior that fills this font of His Word of salvation. As a means to nurture the faith given you in that salvific washing you are fed. “Take eat.” “Take drink.” Be nurtured by the very body and blood offered upon the cross for your sake.

The Lord has spoken. He has put His Spirit within you. He has given you your own land into which He sends you to serve in whatever vocation that may be. And all this He does so that you may know that He gives you peace - and that peace has forgiven you of all your sin. Amen.