Sermon illustrations for Easter 2 (2016)
Illustration
Object:
Acts 5:27-32
Have you ever wondered what changed for the apostles? They cowered in the upper room after the crucifixion. They were not sure they understood what the resurrection meant -- even after they had seen Jesus, spoken with him, touched him. Yet here they are, proclaiming that they are called to speak God’s words, to witness to God’s love in the face of the same authorities who killed Jesus. What changed?
The Holy Spirit changed everything. Seeking the grace, receiving the strengthening of the Holy Spirit changed the individual and corporate lives of the apostles, of the church. The Spirit still does -- it still can change lives, empower lives, strengthen lives. So when you are faced with the dilemma of proclaiming the love of God or the hate of the world, the compassion and mercy of Jesus or the selfishness or judgment of the world, seek the Holy Spirit. Seek the wisdom and grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Proclaim at the top of your voice the love of God in all the dark places that need that love. Call out “Come, Holy Spirit” and be ready to do what God is calling you to do.
Bonnie B.
Acts 5:27-32
Courage is a difficult thing to get a handle on. In Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” 600 soldiers courageously ride into the valley of death. Someone had erred, but none of the soldiers knew of it. They simply did as they were told. Here’s part of the second stanza:
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
The 600 were willing to follow orders, even if it meant death. The apostles were faced with a challenging situation as well. They had been told emphatically to stop preaching Jesus, and were even put in prison by the high priest and the Sadducees. The “safe” choice would’ve been to obey. However, they had higher orders. They made it clear that they would continue to preach, no matter the consequences. They had to obey God over men. That’s courage. Both the 600 and the apostles showed courage. There is a difference in these stories, though. The courage of the 600, though undeniable, was misplaced. They perished. The apostles also showed courage, but it went further for them. They displayed not only courage, but also wisdom. Their trust was in someone who did not make mistakes. Courage and wisdom; it’s a good combination.
Bill T.
Acts 5:27-32
It took a lot of courage to tell off the top brass of Israel. That could have resulted in the apostles’ death.
When I served in Nepal, it had only been legal to be a Christian since 1992. There was still persecution, but the Nepali Christians knew that the reward was so great for standing on their faith that it was worth the risk. Their steadfastness was winning over some of those who had been ordering them to stop practicing their faith. Some of the leaders were impressed by their courage -- knowing what they might face. Some had already suffered, like some of my seminary students.
There are Christians living in Muslim countries who face danger and even death because of their faith. Some of them are emigrants who fled their country to find freedom, and who are waiting outside many countries (including ours) to be invited in. They trust that God will save them. Regardless of what they are told, they must obey God and not man. That can be dangerous, but the reward is beyond description. Unfortunately, some will have to pay a high price for that reward.
Are we brave and strong enough to obey God rather than man?
What if you are forbidden to mention your faith in your job or your school? In some cases it might not be right to twist the arms of fellow workers or students to try and convert them, but you can’t be forbidden to talk about your faith if we have freedom of speech. Look for opportunities to share. Don’t shout to others: “Brother, are you saved?” That can do more harm than good!
The disciples at that meeting had the advantage of having seen Jesus in the flesh after his resurrection. What can give us that kind of courage? Only God’s Holy Spirit can give us that kind of courage. That is something we can’t teach in a course or a confirmation class. It is something we must ask God for. Once we have it, we can’t teach a course in how others can get it. Just ask for the Holy Spirit and believe. Then the only evidence will be when others see the change in you. They can see your courage if you are faced with threats or the skepticism of others who are trying to make us look like fools. So just ask God for His Spirit!
Bob O.
Acts 5:27-32
It is very hard for us to understand just how shameful a death crucifixion was meant to be. First of all, of course, it was simply a horrible way to die; but this form of execution was intended to eradicate a person’s existence. The condemned was thrown into a pit to be eaten by animals. (This is probably why archaeologists have only recovered one set of remains of a person who was crucified and then buried.) The whole family would share the shame of this cruelty.
But note that instead of being silent as they were commanded, or skirting around the embarrassing matter of crucifixion, the disciples cut to the chase and talk about the way Jesus died. They describe his death as hanging from a tree, calling to mind the language of shame and condemnation reminiscent of Old Testament law (see Deuteronomy 21:22-23), then make the extraordinary proclamation that Jesus has been exalted by God to the right hand -- language that reminds me of Daniel 7:14, where in the divine throne room we see the Son of Man standing next to the Ancient of Days and are assured he will descend in glory on the clouds to redeem the world!
Our shame and discouragement in the same way will be redeemed and transformed through the cross of Christ. The symbol of horror and shame becomes the image of redemption.
Frank R.
Revelation 1:4-8
As has become common in this age of the internet, when my body indicates that there is something wrong I often consult the Google search engine. This procedure can produce an enormous amount of information. Unfortunately, not everything on the internet is easily accessible, particularly to those of us without medical training. Even when the articles are written in English, it is not the English common to church, street, or household. It is the technical English of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and general medicine. Ordinary folks like me lack sufficient vocabulary and experience to grasp the nuanced meanings of what is read. To state that another way, technical medical journal articles were not written to us or for us. They were written about our needs, but are addressed to medical professionals. Consequently, we need the wisdom and assistance of a trained physician to help us understand what is going on and what needs to be done about it.
For this and the next five Sundays, there is a lectionary reading from the Revelation to John. As with technical medical journals, this book is not written in a way that its meaning is readily accessible to contemporary Christians. In fact, the Revelation to John was addressed to the first-century Church. The book contains imagery not common to our time. Consequently, it can easily be misread or misunderstood in the 21st century. Of course, the meaning of Revelation is incredibly important. It contains, after all, the word of God. It just takes time, effort, and a little guidance to help us understand.
R. Robert C.
Revelation 1:4-8
People who think that there is a “war on Christmas” attack use of the word “Xmas,” believing it to be taking Christ out of Christmas. But a theological understanding of the term would point in just to the opposite direction -- that “Xmas” very much keeps Jesus in Christmas. The X signifies the Greek letter chi, which when applied with P, or rho, signifies the name of Christ. Constantine, after his conversion, had his soldiers inscribe these letters on their shields at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Many religious scholars used Xmas in their writings not just as an abbreviation, but as a clear reference to Jesus. So strong was the letter X associated with Jesus that when illiterate Jews arrived at Ellis Island they refused to sign their name with an X, instead using an O, in Yiddish kikl (“little circle”). The dislike for the use of Xmas stems from a lack of understanding of history and culture; it is a perfectly acceptable abbreviation to use during the Christmas season.
Application: The book of Revelation contains within it many mysteries that we do not understand. Instead of dismissing these images and terms, let us look at the culture and history behind them. Then we will have no problem understanding, for instance, that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Ron L.
Revelation 1:4-8
Jimmy Carter once advised us to live our lives as if Christ were coming this afternoon. In the same spirit, the famed 20th-century theologian Karl Barth tells us that the orders of life and value only have transitory validity (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/2, p. 173). Nothing will last, now that Christ is Lord and will be showing up again. Martin Luther elaborated on what it is like to live with the expectation that Christ is now Lord, that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is to believe, he says, that “God curbs and destroys every evil counsel and purpose of... the world, and of our flesh which would hinder us from hallowing his Name and prevent the coming of his Kingdom, and when he strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his Word and in faith even to the end” (The Book of Concord, p. 347).
This way of looking at life leads to confidence facing any threat of the Last Judgment, as another remark by Martin Luther assures us: “Even if your sin and your conscience plague and oppress you and you stand in God’s judgment, you must realize that all has been changed and that judgment has been abolished. Instead of harboring fear of the final judgment, you must yearn and long for it” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 22, p. 364).
We can face the Last Judgment with the confidence John Calvin gives us: “Far indeed is he from mounting his judgment seat to condemn us! How could our most merciful Ruler destroy his people? How could the Head scatter his own members? How could our Advocate condemn his clients?” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 526).
Mark E.
John 20:19-31
There is a scene in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade that always resonates with me. Indy is trying to get through to get to the Holy Grail. His father is dying, and Indy believes it to be his only hope of saving him. He comes to what seems to be a deep cavern. He reads the book about taking a “leap of faith.” He hesitates. He can’t see any way that someone could leap that distance. His father is barely speaking, but imploring Indy to “just believe.” Though Indy can’t hear him and can’t see any way to cross, he decides to believe. He takes a step. It is an incredible optical illusion, as a rock bridge appears where there seemed to be none. Indy crosses and continues on his quest. Believing what he couldn’t see allowed him to get through.
Believing what he couldn’t see; that was tough for Thomas. Before we become too critical of him, though, let’s look more closely. When Lazarus died and Jesus was determined to go, Thomas is the one who boldly stated: “Let’s go to Jerusalem with him, that we may die with him.” Thomas was strong and dedicated to Jesus. What he faced, however, was a situation so tragic and so heart-wrenching that it seemed unless he saw it he couldn’t believe it. He just couldn’t take someone else’s word for the resurrection. He had to see it for himself. When he saw Jesus and touched him, he declared “My Lord and my God.” Jesus told him to believe and not doubt. Then he added, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have come to believe.” Did you catch that? Blessed are those who have not seen and believe. That’s what faith is -- trusting and believing that which you cannot see. Will you take that leap of faith?
Bill T.
John 20:19-31
Doubt always gets a bad name. We give Thomas a hard time. Yet we too live in a world where doubt is really not so acceptable, where cognitive certainty, rationale thought, and proof are important. We don't like what we can’t understand or explain rationally. We like to move in certainty.
But the world is full of questions. Why does evil seem to prevail? How do we overcome hate? Why is there so much destruction by human beings and by nature? Where is God? These and other profoundly important questions may not have rational or easy answers. Maybe the solution is to sit with the questions, to wander through the doubts, to explore the mystery without the answers.
Surely Thomas received his answer, the answer his senses allowed him to perceive even if his brain couldn’t understand. It’s easier to believe something if you see it. Perhaps the point Jesus makes to Thomas is key. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Blessed are those with doubts and questions that have no easy answers and who choose to follow in any case.
Bonnie B.
John 20:19-31
Most of us who preach on this passage will wonder what additional insight we can squeeze out of the tired meme known as Doubting Thomas. Whether or not you’ve been preaching a few years or decades, this story is one your listeners are familiar with and may tune out.
I would advise you to preach instead about Believing Thomas -- his confession of faith “My Lord and my God!” is astounding and breathtaking. Throughout John’s gospel there has been a progression of faith statements -- starting with the narrator’s statement (“We have seen his glory....”; 1:14), John the Baptist’s proclamation (“Behold the Lamb of God...!”; 1:29), and Andrew’s confession of faith (“We have found the Messiah!”;1:41), all in the very first chapter. You can weave together the woman at the well and confessions of faith leading at last to the foundation of our faith: “My Lord and My God!”
And I wonder if you might also look at the quieter, gentler Pentecost that’s a part of this scripture. We are familiar with the descent of the Holy Spirit as portrayed in the second chapter of Acts. This is a dramatic and power-filled scene. Sometimes, however, it causes some Christians to believe that God’s Holy Spirit can only act, manifest itself, or be received in dramatic circumstances. Just a breath. Ah....
During his farewell address earlier in the gospel of John, Jesus assures his disciples that he will not leave them without an Advocate, without the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them. In this passage Jesus breathes upon them and invites them to receive the Holy Spirit in a gentle but no less powerful way, and to receive as well the ability to forgive each other’s sins. One of the biggest blessings we share with each other as the redeemed community of Jesus Christ is the willingness not only to forgive, but also to receive forgiveness. Receiving forgiveness invites us to live God’s kingdom now, as surely we shall live it in the time when all is perfected.
Frank R.
John 20:19-31
None of the disciples believed until they saw Jesus in the flesh! Thomas went one step farther and wasn’t going to believe until he could poke his fingers in the wounds.
Are we all doubters, in a way? What did it take you to believe? Are all those in our churches believers, or like Thomas are we all looking for some more scientific proof? What will that proof be today? Are we waiting for Jesus to come and stand before us? Are we here because of our family or a spouse? We don’t want to hurt their feelings -- or receive their wrath if we admit to doubts.
There are atheists and agnostics who are waiting for some proof that they can see with their own eyes. What kind of proof will convince them? One proof that helps a few believe is to see what some missionaries suffer in the field. If they suffer and even die for their faith, it will convince people that there must be a reality out there.
I know many who have had an experience of the Lord’s power that turned them to the faith. In some cases, it is a miracle of healing where is no other explanation.
When I was prison chaplain, I was called to the hospital by a prisoner who had broken an arm when a garbage can landed on it while he was doing his assigned duty. He was in his room with his arm in a splint, waiting for an operation. He asked me to pray for his healing. I was going to pray for the doctors to have skill to do a good job, but he said no -- he wanted me to pray that he be healed. As long as that was what he wanted me to pray for, I did so. I’m not sure I had his faith, but if he did why should I argue with him?
The next Sunday he was back in the prison, totally healed. Even I was shocked, and he said that the doctors were all puzzled looking at his X-rays. Because of him, my service at the prison was filled that day and for quite a while after. Even some guards came in. When I tell this story to some -- even good Christians -- they often just say, “That’s an interesting story, pastor.”
As our passage says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and still believe.”
None of us in our churches have seen Christ and can touch his wounds. What has made us believe?
One scientist told me that he only believes in something if he can put it under his microscope or see it in a telescope. I told him that he could not put a wind under his microscope! But he responded that you could see what it was doing.
So I told him another illustration. I asked if he believed in love. “Of course,” he said. “I love my wife!” So I said, “It is like the wind. You can’t see it, but you know what it can do to you. If love is just a thing like wind, then you could love any woman who came along. Right?” Then I added, “God is love, and we can see what his love is doing in the world!”
He had to think about that. God is love! Don’t look for holes to stick your finger in!
Bob O.
Have you ever wondered what changed for the apostles? They cowered in the upper room after the crucifixion. They were not sure they understood what the resurrection meant -- even after they had seen Jesus, spoken with him, touched him. Yet here they are, proclaiming that they are called to speak God’s words, to witness to God’s love in the face of the same authorities who killed Jesus. What changed?
The Holy Spirit changed everything. Seeking the grace, receiving the strengthening of the Holy Spirit changed the individual and corporate lives of the apostles, of the church. The Spirit still does -- it still can change lives, empower lives, strengthen lives. So when you are faced with the dilemma of proclaiming the love of God or the hate of the world, the compassion and mercy of Jesus or the selfishness or judgment of the world, seek the Holy Spirit. Seek the wisdom and grace and power of the Holy Spirit. Proclaim at the top of your voice the love of God in all the dark places that need that love. Call out “Come, Holy Spirit” and be ready to do what God is calling you to do.
Bonnie B.
Acts 5:27-32
Courage is a difficult thing to get a handle on. In Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” 600 soldiers courageously ride into the valley of death. Someone had erred, but none of the soldiers knew of it. They simply did as they were told. Here’s part of the second stanza:
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
The 600 were willing to follow orders, even if it meant death. The apostles were faced with a challenging situation as well. They had been told emphatically to stop preaching Jesus, and were even put in prison by the high priest and the Sadducees. The “safe” choice would’ve been to obey. However, they had higher orders. They made it clear that they would continue to preach, no matter the consequences. They had to obey God over men. That’s courage. Both the 600 and the apostles showed courage. There is a difference in these stories, though. The courage of the 600, though undeniable, was misplaced. They perished. The apostles also showed courage, but it went further for them. They displayed not only courage, but also wisdom. Their trust was in someone who did not make mistakes. Courage and wisdom; it’s a good combination.
Bill T.
Acts 5:27-32
It took a lot of courage to tell off the top brass of Israel. That could have resulted in the apostles’ death.
When I served in Nepal, it had only been legal to be a Christian since 1992. There was still persecution, but the Nepali Christians knew that the reward was so great for standing on their faith that it was worth the risk. Their steadfastness was winning over some of those who had been ordering them to stop practicing their faith. Some of the leaders were impressed by their courage -- knowing what they might face. Some had already suffered, like some of my seminary students.
There are Christians living in Muslim countries who face danger and even death because of their faith. Some of them are emigrants who fled their country to find freedom, and who are waiting outside many countries (including ours) to be invited in. They trust that God will save them. Regardless of what they are told, they must obey God and not man. That can be dangerous, but the reward is beyond description. Unfortunately, some will have to pay a high price for that reward.
Are we brave and strong enough to obey God rather than man?
What if you are forbidden to mention your faith in your job or your school? In some cases it might not be right to twist the arms of fellow workers or students to try and convert them, but you can’t be forbidden to talk about your faith if we have freedom of speech. Look for opportunities to share. Don’t shout to others: “Brother, are you saved?” That can do more harm than good!
The disciples at that meeting had the advantage of having seen Jesus in the flesh after his resurrection. What can give us that kind of courage? Only God’s Holy Spirit can give us that kind of courage. That is something we can’t teach in a course or a confirmation class. It is something we must ask God for. Once we have it, we can’t teach a course in how others can get it. Just ask for the Holy Spirit and believe. Then the only evidence will be when others see the change in you. They can see your courage if you are faced with threats or the skepticism of others who are trying to make us look like fools. So just ask God for His Spirit!
Bob O.
Acts 5:27-32
It is very hard for us to understand just how shameful a death crucifixion was meant to be. First of all, of course, it was simply a horrible way to die; but this form of execution was intended to eradicate a person’s existence. The condemned was thrown into a pit to be eaten by animals. (This is probably why archaeologists have only recovered one set of remains of a person who was crucified and then buried.) The whole family would share the shame of this cruelty.
But note that instead of being silent as they were commanded, or skirting around the embarrassing matter of crucifixion, the disciples cut to the chase and talk about the way Jesus died. They describe his death as hanging from a tree, calling to mind the language of shame and condemnation reminiscent of Old Testament law (see Deuteronomy 21:22-23), then make the extraordinary proclamation that Jesus has been exalted by God to the right hand -- language that reminds me of Daniel 7:14, where in the divine throne room we see the Son of Man standing next to the Ancient of Days and are assured he will descend in glory on the clouds to redeem the world!
Our shame and discouragement in the same way will be redeemed and transformed through the cross of Christ. The symbol of horror and shame becomes the image of redemption.
Frank R.
Revelation 1:4-8
As has become common in this age of the internet, when my body indicates that there is something wrong I often consult the Google search engine. This procedure can produce an enormous amount of information. Unfortunately, not everything on the internet is easily accessible, particularly to those of us without medical training. Even when the articles are written in English, it is not the English common to church, street, or household. It is the technical English of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and general medicine. Ordinary folks like me lack sufficient vocabulary and experience to grasp the nuanced meanings of what is read. To state that another way, technical medical journal articles were not written to us or for us. They were written about our needs, but are addressed to medical professionals. Consequently, we need the wisdom and assistance of a trained physician to help us understand what is going on and what needs to be done about it.
For this and the next five Sundays, there is a lectionary reading from the Revelation to John. As with technical medical journals, this book is not written in a way that its meaning is readily accessible to contemporary Christians. In fact, the Revelation to John was addressed to the first-century Church. The book contains imagery not common to our time. Consequently, it can easily be misread or misunderstood in the 21st century. Of course, the meaning of Revelation is incredibly important. It contains, after all, the word of God. It just takes time, effort, and a little guidance to help us understand.
R. Robert C.
Revelation 1:4-8
People who think that there is a “war on Christmas” attack use of the word “Xmas,” believing it to be taking Christ out of Christmas. But a theological understanding of the term would point in just to the opposite direction -- that “Xmas” very much keeps Jesus in Christmas. The X signifies the Greek letter chi, which when applied with P, or rho, signifies the name of Christ. Constantine, after his conversion, had his soldiers inscribe these letters on their shields at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. Many religious scholars used Xmas in their writings not just as an abbreviation, but as a clear reference to Jesus. So strong was the letter X associated with Jesus that when illiterate Jews arrived at Ellis Island they refused to sign their name with an X, instead using an O, in Yiddish kikl (“little circle”). The dislike for the use of Xmas stems from a lack of understanding of history and culture; it is a perfectly acceptable abbreviation to use during the Christmas season.
Application: The book of Revelation contains within it many mysteries that we do not understand. Instead of dismissing these images and terms, let us look at the culture and history behind them. Then we will have no problem understanding, for instance, that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Ron L.
Revelation 1:4-8
Jimmy Carter once advised us to live our lives as if Christ were coming this afternoon. In the same spirit, the famed 20th-century theologian Karl Barth tells us that the orders of life and value only have transitory validity (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/2, p. 173). Nothing will last, now that Christ is Lord and will be showing up again. Martin Luther elaborated on what it is like to live with the expectation that Christ is now Lord, that the Kingdom of God is at hand. It is to believe, he says, that “God curbs and destroys every evil counsel and purpose of... the world, and of our flesh which would hinder us from hallowing his Name and prevent the coming of his Kingdom, and when he strengthens us and keeps us steadfast in his Word and in faith even to the end” (The Book of Concord, p. 347).
This way of looking at life leads to confidence facing any threat of the Last Judgment, as another remark by Martin Luther assures us: “Even if your sin and your conscience plague and oppress you and you stand in God’s judgment, you must realize that all has been changed and that judgment has been abolished. Instead of harboring fear of the final judgment, you must yearn and long for it” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 22, p. 364).
We can face the Last Judgment with the confidence John Calvin gives us: “Far indeed is he from mounting his judgment seat to condemn us! How could our most merciful Ruler destroy his people? How could the Head scatter his own members? How could our Advocate condemn his clients?” (Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 526).
Mark E.
John 20:19-31
There is a scene in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade that always resonates with me. Indy is trying to get through to get to the Holy Grail. His father is dying, and Indy believes it to be his only hope of saving him. He comes to what seems to be a deep cavern. He reads the book about taking a “leap of faith.” He hesitates. He can’t see any way that someone could leap that distance. His father is barely speaking, but imploring Indy to “just believe.” Though Indy can’t hear him and can’t see any way to cross, he decides to believe. He takes a step. It is an incredible optical illusion, as a rock bridge appears where there seemed to be none. Indy crosses and continues on his quest. Believing what he couldn’t see allowed him to get through.
Believing what he couldn’t see; that was tough for Thomas. Before we become too critical of him, though, let’s look more closely. When Lazarus died and Jesus was determined to go, Thomas is the one who boldly stated: “Let’s go to Jerusalem with him, that we may die with him.” Thomas was strong and dedicated to Jesus. What he faced, however, was a situation so tragic and so heart-wrenching that it seemed unless he saw it he couldn’t believe it. He just couldn’t take someone else’s word for the resurrection. He had to see it for himself. When he saw Jesus and touched him, he declared “My Lord and my God.” Jesus told him to believe and not doubt. Then he added, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have come to believe.” Did you catch that? Blessed are those who have not seen and believe. That’s what faith is -- trusting and believing that which you cannot see. Will you take that leap of faith?
Bill T.
John 20:19-31
Doubt always gets a bad name. We give Thomas a hard time. Yet we too live in a world where doubt is really not so acceptable, where cognitive certainty, rationale thought, and proof are important. We don't like what we can’t understand or explain rationally. We like to move in certainty.
But the world is full of questions. Why does evil seem to prevail? How do we overcome hate? Why is there so much destruction by human beings and by nature? Where is God? These and other profoundly important questions may not have rational or easy answers. Maybe the solution is to sit with the questions, to wander through the doubts, to explore the mystery without the answers.
Surely Thomas received his answer, the answer his senses allowed him to perceive even if his brain couldn’t understand. It’s easier to believe something if you see it. Perhaps the point Jesus makes to Thomas is key. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Blessed are those with doubts and questions that have no easy answers and who choose to follow in any case.
Bonnie B.
John 20:19-31
Most of us who preach on this passage will wonder what additional insight we can squeeze out of the tired meme known as Doubting Thomas. Whether or not you’ve been preaching a few years or decades, this story is one your listeners are familiar with and may tune out.
I would advise you to preach instead about Believing Thomas -- his confession of faith “My Lord and my God!” is astounding and breathtaking. Throughout John’s gospel there has been a progression of faith statements -- starting with the narrator’s statement (“We have seen his glory....”; 1:14), John the Baptist’s proclamation (“Behold the Lamb of God...!”; 1:29), and Andrew’s confession of faith (“We have found the Messiah!”;1:41), all in the very first chapter. You can weave together the woman at the well and confessions of faith leading at last to the foundation of our faith: “My Lord and My God!”
And I wonder if you might also look at the quieter, gentler Pentecost that’s a part of this scripture. We are familiar with the descent of the Holy Spirit as portrayed in the second chapter of Acts. This is a dramatic and power-filled scene. Sometimes, however, it causes some Christians to believe that God’s Holy Spirit can only act, manifest itself, or be received in dramatic circumstances. Just a breath. Ah....
During his farewell address earlier in the gospel of John, Jesus assures his disciples that he will not leave them without an Advocate, without the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them. In this passage Jesus breathes upon them and invites them to receive the Holy Spirit in a gentle but no less powerful way, and to receive as well the ability to forgive each other’s sins. One of the biggest blessings we share with each other as the redeemed community of Jesus Christ is the willingness not only to forgive, but also to receive forgiveness. Receiving forgiveness invites us to live God’s kingdom now, as surely we shall live it in the time when all is perfected.
Frank R.
John 20:19-31
None of the disciples believed until they saw Jesus in the flesh! Thomas went one step farther and wasn’t going to believe until he could poke his fingers in the wounds.
Are we all doubters, in a way? What did it take you to believe? Are all those in our churches believers, or like Thomas are we all looking for some more scientific proof? What will that proof be today? Are we waiting for Jesus to come and stand before us? Are we here because of our family or a spouse? We don’t want to hurt their feelings -- or receive their wrath if we admit to doubts.
There are atheists and agnostics who are waiting for some proof that they can see with their own eyes. What kind of proof will convince them? One proof that helps a few believe is to see what some missionaries suffer in the field. If they suffer and even die for their faith, it will convince people that there must be a reality out there.
I know many who have had an experience of the Lord’s power that turned them to the faith. In some cases, it is a miracle of healing where is no other explanation.
When I was prison chaplain, I was called to the hospital by a prisoner who had broken an arm when a garbage can landed on it while he was doing his assigned duty. He was in his room with his arm in a splint, waiting for an operation. He asked me to pray for his healing. I was going to pray for the doctors to have skill to do a good job, but he said no -- he wanted me to pray that he be healed. As long as that was what he wanted me to pray for, I did so. I’m not sure I had his faith, but if he did why should I argue with him?
The next Sunday he was back in the prison, totally healed. Even I was shocked, and he said that the doctors were all puzzled looking at his X-rays. Because of him, my service at the prison was filled that day and for quite a while after. Even some guards came in. When I tell this story to some -- even good Christians -- they often just say, “That’s an interesting story, pastor.”
As our passage says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and still believe.”
None of us in our churches have seen Christ and can touch his wounds. What has made us believe?
One scientist told me that he only believes in something if he can put it under his microscope or see it in a telescope. I told him that he could not put a wind under his microscope! But he responded that you could see what it was doing.
So I told him another illustration. I asked if he believed in love. “Of course,” he said. “I love my wife!” So I said, “It is like the wind. You can’t see it, but you know what it can do to you. If love is just a thing like wind, then you could love any woman who came along. Right?” Then I added, “God is love, and we can see what his love is doing in the world!”
He had to think about that. God is love! Don’t look for holes to stick your finger in!
Bob O.
