Judy Skaggs, Presenter

John 20:19-31

"Living out of Resurrection"

Every year on the second Sunday of Easter, the gospel text is the same, from John 20, the story of Thomas, usually called “doubting Thomas.” It is curious that the ones who chose the lectionary texts thought it was important for us to hear this text every year.

This story takes place on Easter evening, and follows the text we heard last Sunday. So let us listen for what the Word might be for us today. Read John 20.

The events of Christ’s death and resurrection are central to our faith as Christians. On Passion Sunday and on Good Friday, we heard many of the texts about Jesus’ arrest and trials, and then of his death on the cross. Then last Sunday, San read the resurrection story from John’s Gospel – or did he?

In actuality, there is no Biblical account of the resurrection itself. There is nothing written about what took place in that tomb. No narrative tells us what happened or how it happened.

If we look at all four gospels’ accounts of that Sunday morning, no one went to the tomb expecting a resurrection. They went to see the tomb in Matthew, and in Mark and Luke the women went with spices to anoint the body. In John’s account, no purpose is given for Mary Magdalene going to the tomb.

And none of those who found the tomb empty concluded that Jesus had been resurrected. Mary thought they had taken him away. Angelic beings tell the women that the resurrection has occurred, but if they tell the disciples, it is thought to be an idle tale.

So these appearance stories become important to our understanding of what happened as a result of Christ’s resurrection.

One thing we notice is that in each appearance story, Jesus is not recognized. In last week’s story, Mary thought he was the gardener. Remember the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They talk with Jesus and tell him about what all has happened, but only when he breaks bread do they recognize him. In today’s text, he shows them his hands and side, and then they know him.

So we assume that Jesus’ appearance was changed. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes as if he is being asked the question about the kind of body the dead will have. He writes that what “is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable… It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body.”

Perhaps this helps us understand more about resurrection. Resurrection is never thought of as merely restoration of life, but as a transformation of the person into a new mode of existence. And it is that transformation that I want us to think about this morning. Because Jesus was transformed by resurrection, what does that mean for us as we follow this Risen Lord?

Let us look at our text. The story begins with the disciples gathered behind locked doors because of their fear. From the story we read last Sunday, Peter and John had run to the tomb with Mary to see that it was empty, but only Mary experienced the resurrected Jesus. She went to them to tell them that she had seen the Lord.

So when Jesus appears to the disciples on Easter evening, it might surprise us that they are behind locked doors because of their fear. Yet, perhaps the disciples have reason to fear -  with their recent behavior of abandoning, betraying, denying their Master! One would think he would burst in upon them yelling, “Where were you?”

But instead, Christ begins by offering his peace, the kind of peace he promised, that the world cannot give. And what we see is that the Risen Christ is not vengeful in any way, but rather that he takes their betrayal and begins a reversal.

In this passage there are echoes of Genesis 2 – the account of creation where God breathes life into humankind. And for these disciples it is as if they are being re-created. The world as they had known it is passing away, and a new creation is beginning.

The community that is being formed has forgiveness at its core. Christ comes to those same ones who had run away, who had denied him, but never condemns them in any way. They are immediately embraced completely and given his work to do. Jesus reminds them that the forgiveness shown to them is the forgiveness they are to show to each other. The disciples are beginning to be transformed by the power of the resurrection.

In the character of Thomas, we also get to see transformation taking place. For some reason, Thomas was not there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. We can almost hear his disappointment and anger expressed when he tells them that he must see in order to believe.

So when Jesus returns a week later when Thomas is there, we get to see Thomas’ fear and doubt melt away. And once more, forgiveness is at the heart of the interaction between Jesus and one of his own. Jesus gives Thomas what he needs so that Thomas can move into a transformed relationship.

In John’s gospel, there is a lot of importance on believing. The way that John uses the word has to do with trusting or entrusting oneself to someone. So to believe (according to John) is not to just say that we acknowledge that something is so, but that we entrust our very lives to the one in whom we believe.

Thomas finally understands this kind of faith as he responds, “My Lord and my God”  - probably the earliest creedal statement.

Then Jesus goes on to bless all those who believe – who entrust their lives  - even when they have not seen what Thomas was able to see. And John concludes that all these stories are written so that you may believe – you may entrust your lives – to Jesus the Messiah, and that by believing – entrusting – you may have life in his name.

So it comes back to us. Jesus was transformed by resurrection. And as the Risen Lord appeared to disciples, they were also transformed. But that process of being changed is just as true for us as for those who were able to see and touch. We too are being changed. Resurrection life is within us. That same Holy Spirit has been breathed upon us and we are new creations.

C.S.Lewis says it this way in Mere Christianity

They met him again after they had seen him killed. And then after they had formed a little society or community, they found God somehow inside them as well, directing them, making them able to do things they had not done before.

The Risen Christ is still among us creating a community based on forgiveness. And the more we can learn to forgive, the more we will be changed. Forgiveness overcomes our doubts and fears. Forgiveness teaches us how to love more deeply. Forgiveness is never simple or easy; it is not a switch to be turned off or on. It is a process that happens over time. But it must be possible or Christ would not demand it of us.

We see forgiveness modeled by Christ again and again. And every Sunday we pray that we might be forgiven as we forgive others. Forgiveness is the only petition in the Lord’s prayer that Jesus comments on. Perhaps Jesus knew how difficult it would be for us. And yet just because it is difficult, he never let’s us off the hook. If anything he just emphasizes its importance.

Friends, the life that Christ wants to give us in his name, is resurrection life. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we are changed forever. We are new creations. The breath of the Holy Spirit has been breathed upon us and we are sent out in the world to be Jesus hands and feet and heart. May God grant us the grace to live into our calling as people of the resurrection. Amen.