May 8, 2011 Easter 3

GOSPEL LESSON: John 20:19-31 [Jesus appears to Thomas.]

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

When Thomas saw Jesus'; hands and side, his doubts were ended because he now knew for sure that Jesus had risen form the dead. But Thomas now understands something even greater. He understands who Jesus really is. He makes his great confession of faith, "My Lord and my God!" This Jesus who was dead and now is alive is not just an ordinary person, not even a great teacher or prophet FROM God. The resurrection is a sign, a revelation of who Jesus is. Thomas has the faith to know that Jesus IS Lord and God.

Not only is Jesus Lord and God, but he is THOMAS'S Lord and God. It is not enough to know just about the existence of God, devils know God exists. Thomas is making a confession of faith and a declaration of loyalty to Jesus. He says Jesus is his "Lord." The word "lord" can mean "master, boss, or king." If someone is your boss, you are under that person and promise to work for them. If someone is your king, you swear allegiance and take an oath to fight, even die for your ruler. If someone is your master, then as a disciple you live your life as your teacher directs. Thomas is declaring his complete loyalty to Jesus, as his boss, master, and God. Since Thomas knows that Jesus is his God, it gives Thomas confidence to overcome all his doubts.

Then Jesus said to Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Thomas is blessed by Jesus, and so are we. We have not seen Jesus in the flesh, but we have heard and read the Word of God. John writes, "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (20:31).

Thomas has the bad reputation of being called "Doubting Thomas." I feel sorry for him, but we should not put him down, because we know that everyone has doubts at some time or another. We too wonder if this Jesus is really God and whether we should declare our loyalty to him as our Lord. Because if he is our boss, then we are not free to do as we want to. We have to become his disciples and have to live according to his Word. Thomas could overcome his doubts when he saw the death marks in Jesus' hands and side. Those marks are the marks of love. Thomas saw the wonderful love that Jesus had. That was the love that died for a weak, doubter like Thomas. That is why many people love this story. Because if Jesus can take back a weak doubter like Thomas and bless him, then he can take back a weak doubting sinner like me. Thomas is like a hero, a role mode.

Sometimes doubting is a test of our faith. In the midst of the problems of this life, we may wonder if Jesus really is Lord and God, or if Jesus is the Lord and God of me. What is the relationship between Jesus and me? And does Jesus take care of me as my Lord and God? For example, when we or a loved one is sick or in danger, we may doubt the power of Jesus to heal. When we are confused about our lives or we see the confusion in our society, we may wonder if Jesus can guide us as our Lord. When we see the moral and ethical condition of our society, we may wonder if the teachings of Jesus are applicable to this modern day. Our politicians love to say "God Bless America" but we are surrounded by coworker, neighbors, friends and family who do not share our faith and hope in Jesus, and may even regard us with suspicion when we confess our faith. When Christians are in a minority, we lose confidence in our assurance of faith.

But perhaps the biggest test of our faith is when we have sinned. We have failed in our obligations to our lord. We have not been loyal. We have not lived according to the teachings of our master. We doubt the strength of our relationship with Jesus. This doubt can lead to despair and disbelief. Like Thomas, we too want to see proofs of Jesus' love. It might be nice to see a miraculous sign. But all the signs we need to see are recorded in the Bible. John writes, "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." Is reading the Bible enough to overcome doubt? Will reading the Bible give faith? Yes, because it is though the Word of Scripture and the Word of Sacrament that the Holy Spirit comes to us and calls us by the Gospel. And the Word of Gospel gives all the promises of the Gospel. It gives forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation.

When we hear the Gospel, we join with Thomas, and his confession of faith and his declaration of loyalty becomes ours, too. "My Lord and my God!"

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church