Loving God, you provide us with all that is needed, inviting us to come and see the presence of the risen Christ.  Empower us today by your Spirit, strengthening us in faith, hope, and love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

            Already last week, we reflected on how difficult it can be to believe.  The gospels of Luke and John both have a series of events that happen after that Easter morning that gradually lead the disciples to believe that Jesus is risen from the dead.  Today, we hear about a couple of those events that take place one week apart in Jerusalem.  Prior to this, a couple of disciples have seen the empty tomb, and Mary Magdalene has encountered the risen Jesus in the garden – recognizing him when he calls her by name (Jn. 20:16).  She immediately went to the other disciples, announcing to them, “I have seen the Lord” (Jn. 20:18).

         Today’s gospel begins in the evening of that same day, with the disciples still fearful of the Jewish authorities and hiding behind locked doors.  However, Thomas is not with them.  We are never told where he was or what he was doing.  Perhaps they needed some supplies, and Thomas has gone out to get them.  Whatever he was doing, he seems to be the only one brave enough to be out and about, and perhaps Peter was trying to keep all of the other disciples together and safe.

         Scripturally speaking, we actually know very little about Thomas.  In every gospel except John, he is simply named as one of the twelve apostles.  However, in the gospel of John, Thomas speaks up several times and is usually referred to using both his Greek and Hebrew names.  The name “Thomas” is from the Hebrew or Aramaic and means “twin.”  The name Didymus is his Greek name, which also means “twin.”

         The first time that we hear Thomas speak is when Lazarus has died, and Judea has become dangerous for Jesus.  In this instance, Thomas sounds fairly bold, as he says to the other disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (Jn. 11:16).  The other time that we hear from Thomas, it is more of a logistical question: “Lord, we do not know where you are going.  How can we know the way?”  Jesus’ answer is well known: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6).  Other than these two occasions, Thomas is not mentioned until the gospel that we heard today.

         We also heard today that not everything that Jesus did was written down.  The things that were written are to support and encourage those who believe in Jesus Messiah, the Son of God.  They were written in the hope that we might “have life in his name” (Jn. 20:31).  And so, why was it important to include these stories about Thomas and the other disciples?

         For one thing, today’s gospel speaks to all those who have ever felt left out or who find it difficult to believe in Jesus.  It is important for us to notice that Jesus came back for Thomas.  Thomas was not expected to believe without having the same experience as all of the other disciples.  And, as Jesus speaks directly to Thomas and invites him to touch his scars, Thomas immediately responds with a statement of faith: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn. 20:28).

         At the same time, today’s gospel speaks to all those who are overcome by fear or shame.  When Jesus first shows up among the disciples, the doors are locked for fear of persecution by the Jewish authorities.  At the same time, Peter – and probably others – are ashamed of how they abandoned Jesus and denied even knowing him.  And into the midst of their fear and their shame, Jesus comes, speaking words of shalom – “Peace be with you.”

         He shows them his hands and his side.  He speaks shalom to them more than once, offering both forgiveness and peace.  He breathes the Holy Spirit onto them and sends them out.  Jesus is equipping his followers for all that is to come – forgiving them so that they can forgive others, and sharing his peace with them so that they can share it with others.  It is not that different from how Jesus sends all those who believe in him into the world in order to share the good news, serve others, and work for justice and peace.  However, most of us don’t get to see and touch the risen Jesus.  Yet, for many of us, things have happened that have shown the power of Christ and his resurrection.

         Some of us have experienced answers to prayer that have shown us the power of the name of Jesus.  Some of us have experienced the release, and the peace, and even the joy, of receiving God’s forgiveness in Christ.  Some of us have actually seen the risen Jesus – whether in a vision, or standing right here, or in the gifts of bread and wine.  Some of us have seen or experienced the power of Christ to change hearts and lives.  And some of us have seen how God can bring new life out of death.

         Whatever our own experiences might be, Jesus comes to all those who seek him, bringing forgiveness, and peace, and the gifts of the Spirit – sending us out with all of those other witnesses to bring life and love into this broken and messed-up world.  For, Christ is risen.  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!  Amen.

Easter 2(C)                                       John 20:19-31

April 27, 2025

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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