Resurrection - Peace and Spirit

Thomas Introduction

I looked at all the places we read about Thomas in the Scriptures.

He is there in Matthew, Mark and Luke when they list the disciples, and again in the book of Acts he is in the list of those who with Jesus at the ascension.

Only John tells us anymore than that about Thomas. 

Back at the beginning of Lent we heard the story of Lazarus being buried, and Jesus raising him from death. But before Jesus and the disciples travel back to Bethany, there is a conversation:

 Then he [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Now we will go back to Judea.”

 “Teacher,” they said, “the people there want to stone you to death! Why do you want to go back?” John 11:7-8

Thomas, whose nickname was “Twin,” said to the other disciples, “Come on. Let’s go, so we can die with him.” John 11: 16

Thomas appears on John again in chapter 14

Jesus said to his disciples,” ……. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going.”

Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”

And then Thomas is mentioned again by John in both readings this morning.

Readings: John 20:19- 31 and John 21:1-14 

Proclamation of the Word

Last week we heard of Jesus speaking Mary’s name, and then Mary recognising who was with her in the garden.

This passage we heard this morning, starts that evening. The evening of the first resurrection Sunday, the disciples inside, the doors locked, because they feared what might happen to them. Jesus has been killed, and the tomb is empty. We don’t know what the disciples think of Mary’s report of having seen Jesus alive.

This passage is usually thought of as being about ‘doubting Thomas’, which I think is somewhat unfair. The other disciples had seen the risen crucified Jesus. Thomas hadn't. I wonder why Thomas wasn't with the disciples on the evening of the first resurrection day, maybe he needed some time on his own, or maybe he was the one who went to get food??

There is nothing wrong with having questions about God and faith and life. I mean none of us has all the answers about why some people are born into poverty, why some people live with pain, why God created mosquitoes … and I am sure there are many other questions.

But this passage is about much more than seeing, believing or questioning.

When Jesus appeared to them, he said to them, "Peace be with you."

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."

And a week later: Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

The disciples, obviously scared, not sure what to do next, and Jesus comes and says: ‘Peace be with you”

Not

•       Why don’t you understand what I told you, or

•       here is a blueprint for running a church or

•       this is the doctrinal statement you must sign to be part of the church or

•       here is the definitive list of groups to have in each congregation.

Of all the things Jesus could have said to the disciples,
he said: Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit.

I have been meeting with a Spiritual Director for a bit over six months now, and in our last meeting she asked me to think about what I thought God might write in a letter to me.

My initial response is that God would tell me to pray more, read my Bible more, study more, exercise, eat better, have more energy …. , as if God is a self-help guru.
but in reading these passages I see Jesus offer peace, breathes the Holy Spirit into the disciples and later cooks them fresh fish for breakfast.

In John’s gospel we have an invitational Jesus. Early in the Gospel, in calling the disciples, he says: Come and See.

Here on a beach: Come and eat!

He invites Thomas to touch his wounds.

When have you been met by the risen Jesus?

What word does he speak to you?

[silence]

I know that my Redeemer lives - Tom Gordon Fire and Bread p 103-5