Scripture: John 20:19-31
In today’s gospel lesson, we find ourselves in the aftermath of Easter. There they were – the disciples huddled together in a house, behind locked doors, shuttered in fear when Jesus unexpectedly entered the room. He didn’t even knock. Sounds an awfully lot like today, with people shut in their houses, sheltering in place, afraid, alone, isolated, wondering what the future might hold.
But there he was – Jesus – entering the room. The disciples were shocked. Looks like they didn’t get the word that Jesus was risen. Or maybe they did, and refused to believe. He showed them his hands and side where he had been wounded. And the disciples “greatly rejoiced” when they saw it was him.
He said, “Peace be with you.” It was just what the fearful, worried group needed. And just in case that wasn’t enough, he breathed on them (I bet they weren’t wearing face masks!), and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” And before the bewildered group had the chance to ask any questions, he said he was going to send them out to share the good news with others. There was not time to waste, and there was barely time to let it sink it.
But there was one slight problem – Thomas wasn’t there. We aren’t told where he was, but we can only imagine his disappointment when he got the word. Soon after, the disciples found Thomas and told him that they had seen the Lord. Too bad they didn’t have“Instagram” or “Face Time” back then. It might have solved the problem.
But even when they told Thomas, he was skeptical. It was this moment that branded him as“Doubting Thomas,” from which he would never escape. When Thomas got back, the disciples said, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (20:25)
Is Jesus going to oblige and grant Thomas the evidence he needs, or would he scold him for not believing? For not taking the word of the women and the angels seriously? As it turned out, Jesus cut Thomas a break. It happened a week later.
Jesus came backed to the house. Again, he entered through closed doors, and a second time he said, “Peace be with you.” He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas could hardly believe his eyes. He didn’t even need to touch Jesus. He exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”
He got a second chance. We all need a second chance. It sounds a lot like today. People across the country and around the world huddled behind closed doors in fear – sheltering in place, and perhaps sheltering their hearts and souls as well. They too are afraid– afraid of getting sick with the virus; afraid of losing a loved one; afraid because they losttheir jobs or can’t pay the rent, or afraid that life as they knew it will never be the same.
Sounds a lot like that first Easter. We have a lot in common. We all struggle with faith and doubt. We all struggle with fear and courage, especially today. Maybe that’s why I like this story of Thomas so much. He’s so human – just like us. It’s a struggle for today. I mean,literally, it’s a struggle for TODAY. Just watch the news on any given night, and you’ll seewhat I mean.
As I mentioned, people are afraid, including me. There are times I’m afraid to go to the grocery store. I don’t want someone to cough or sneeze on me in the frozen food aisle! I wear gloves when I go to the gas station, because the person before me touched the gas pump handle and might have been contagious. I wear a mask whenever I go to a public place, and I bet you do, too.
These are strange times in which we live. You may share the same fears. Granted, Thomas’fears were rather existential in nature. Today’s fears are situational. But fear is fear. It is one of the oldest emotions known to humankind. Oftentimes it serves us well in terms of survival.
Today our fears may be invoked just by leaving the house. It is human nature to be afraid, and that’s where the risen Christ comes to us and for us. But it is also human nature to be able to act in the face of fear – to have the courage to act in order to aspire to a higher good . . . to go to work at a hospital in order to save lives.
I hear stories on the news every night – stories of nurses and doctors who are afraid they might get the virus while caring for their patients, afraid their patients may die without their families ever getting to say goodbye . . . afraid they might carry the virus home to their family, so they isolate themselves behind closed doors. I see stories of nurses and doctors who weep after their shift is over, because they never thought they would find themselves in this situation.
It’s overwhelming. Heartbreaking. But it is also uplifting. You get both on the nightly news these days. But here’s the thing – these brave men and women feel the fear and do it anyway, to borrow a title from a book by the same name. That’s so key to what we’re talking about today.
Back then – during that first Easter, Jesus comes into the locked room where the disciples were huddled. He simply said, “Peace be with you.” He must have really meant it, because he said it twice – “Peace be with you.” Then he breathed on them, and said, “Receive the holy spirit.”
Of course for centuries, breathing has been synonymous with God’s spirit and a true life force. Then sure enough, the breath of Jesus imparts to them the Holy Spirit. But don’t gettoo caught up in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Think of the Holy Spirit as the divine life force that permeates all things – the animating force within you that makes you divine.
Shortly thereafter, we find the same disciples believing, and acting in bold, new ways. If theywere still afraid, they didn’t let it stop them from sharing the good news of the risen Lord. If they felt the fear, they did it anyway. Neither the Jews nor their fears had power over them anymore.
I think something like that is happening today. For the countless workers on the front lines –- from healthcare workers to grocery clerks and first responders everywhere — they may feel the fear . . . they may be afraid . . . but they don’t let it stop them from acting in heroic ways, often because of a spiritual life force that goes beyond their own means.
That’s the secret of Easter, and the power of the risen Christ for many Christians. He opens the locked doors of our hearts; he opens minds that have been closed, because people have an experience they cannot explain.
The power of the resurrection may or may not take away your fear, but it can empower you to act. Isn’t that what we all want? To act in bold and courageous ways that go beyond ourmeans? Don’t we want to hope and believe in a better tomorrow? A time when it will be safe to go out to a movie or dinner or a baseball game without risking your life?
I don’t know what the future will be like. Nobody does. But I can tell you that I am different and you are different today because of Easter. He is risen, and so are you. Just ask Thomas. Ask the disciples. They will tell you they were different after Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. They were filled with peace. They were filled with power, and they would tell you it was because they experienced the risen Lord for themselves.
I see a lot of that today. When I watch the news, I don’t just see the latest death tolls or horrorstories. I see stunning acts of kindness and compassion towards strangers. I see a country united and working together to get a handle on a deadly virus. I see healthcare workers risking their lives.
Some may say their actions have nothing to do with the Holy Spirit or the resurrection. Some may say their courage is of their own doing, or that they just have a job to do. But others know better. I only know what has been true for me. I only know what I have seen and heard from countless Christians in my churches for over the 35 years I have been in ministry. And I know God has done far more things through me then I could have ever done on my own.
That’s the Easter story. That’s our story. It was true for the disciples. It was even true for Thomas . . . eventually. You may be skeptical, and that’s okay. Thomas was too. That’s how he earned the name Thomas the Sceptic. But on that day and ever since, Thomas and the disciples left the locked room and lived out the Easter story in bold and amazing ways. They were changed after they met the risen Jesus, and today, I hope you are too. Amen.