Easter 6C-- Knowing and Believing

Text: His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”--John 16:30-33

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Knowing and believing tend to go hand-in-hand, but there are times when the two don’t necessarily go together.

You can know something and still not believe it. The disciples in our Gospel reading are a very good example.

They ‘knew’ who Jesus was. They ‘knew’ what He was going to do. They ‘knew’ what was going to happen to Him. But did they believe?

They certainly should, by this time. This conversation takes place on Maundy/Holy Thursday. They’re about to head to the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s about to happen. Now, as Jesus talks about “departing” and “going to the Father” one final time, they exclaim, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly…!” “Now we know that you know all things…; this is why we believe...” (John 16:29-30).

But, as Jesus points out, they may know but they don’t believe.

If they believed, then they would not be afraid in the coming hours. But they would be afraid.

If they believed, they would not have been troubled by what He was about to suffer. But they would be scattered, each to his own home, as He was arrested.

In spite of what they ‘knew’, they would leave Him all alone as He stood trial and as He was led to the cross, showing that they did not believe. In spite of what they ‘knew’, they were locked away behind closed doors on Easter morning rather than watching and waiting for Him to appear.

You and I know, too. But do you believe?

Finish this sentence: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have _________________________” (John 16:33). See? You know it, but…do you actually believe it? Be careful before you answer, because the words and deeds of your daily life do sometimes contradict you and indict you in your unbelief.

You know, but if you believed, would you be troubled by the headlines you read each morning?

If you believed, would you be troubled by this daily proof that there is evil in the world? Would these reminders of Satan’s ongoing work cause you to fear?

But, if you and I aren’t anxiously asking if these frightening events might be signs that Christ is about to return, we are rushing to pin the blame on others. If our guy were still in office, he would have kept it from happening.

You know, but if you believed, would you be troubled by a culture that hates what you believe in?

But, as the culture raises the stakes for disagreeing with them, you and I are more and more afraid to speak the truth. You respond in fear, lashing out at anyone who disagrees with anything you think.

You know, but do you believe?

If you believed, would you be depressed when the healing or recovery doesn’t go as fast as you want it to?

But depression quickly takes hold when you and I are faced with the ugly fact that you can’t do what you used to be able to do.

If you’re caught on the wrong day, even something like not having any milk for your cereal can send you over the edge: “Why, God? Why me? Why do you hate me?” You must have me mixed up with the schlepp down the street. I don’t deserve this!”

“In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” You know, but do you believe it?

If the disciples would have both known and believed that night, they would have marveled rather than fearing.

They would have seen past Judas’ betrayal to see Jesus lovingly giving Himself over for them.

They would have seen Him unjustly found guilty. And they would have seen Him taking the guilt of their sin upon Himself.

They would have seen the whip, the crown of thorns, the nails, and the spear. And they would have seen Him “pierced for [their] transgressions” and “crushed for [their] iniquities.”

They would have watched Him die. And they would have seen eternal life flowing from His wounds.

They would have witnessed Him being laid in the tomb. And they would have rushed back on Easter morning to behold His victory over sin, death, and the devil.

If they had known and believed, they would have taken heart as their Lord overcame the world.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in this world you will have tribulation.

And it won’t be easier for you, as God’s people. It will be worse.

You will see the same troubles as everyone else.

You will read of wars and rumors of wars. You will see nation rise against nation.

You will see and hear of famines and earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes, fires and floods. You will face illnesses and injuries. You will struggle to recover. You will see all the same tribulations as the world around you (Matthew 24:7-8).

And, unlike the world around you, you’ll face other tribulations, too. You will be hated by all nations for your Lord’s sake. Brothers and sisters in Christ will fall away and betray one another— and you. False prophets will arise within Christ’s Church and lead many astray. Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:9-12). You will see all the same tribulations as anyone else— and more because you are God’s people.

In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; your Lord has overcome the world.

You will see and hear of famines and earthquakes, tornados and hurricanes, fires and floods. And, in them, you will see the birth pains of the new creation because your Lord has overcome the world.

Though outwardly you are wasting away, inwardly you will see yourself being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Because your Lord has overcome the world.

The One who suffered for you, the One who died for you, the One who rose for you, is still directing the events of history— the fates of nations and the details of your daily life. His purpose has not changed. He is guiding all of it to save you.

The nations will rage, the peoples of the earth will plot in vain, but no power on earth can break or hinder His plans for you. Even what they intend for evil, He will use for your good.

Though with A scornful wonder this world sees you, the Church of Christ, oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed: yet Saints their Watch Are Keeping, their Cry Goes Up, “How Long?” And soon the night of weeping shall be the Morn Of Song. [Because your Lord has overcome the world.]

Through toil and tribulation and tumult of her wars, you wait the consummation of peace forever more. Till with the vision glorious your longing eyes are blessed And the great Church of Christ, which shares in His victory, shall be the Church at rest.

(Adapted from LSB #644, sts. 3-4, “The Church’s One Foundation”)

“In this world you will have trouble,” your Lord says. “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”