Easter 2, April 15, 2012

In this Gospel reading, there are two main points: 1, that Jesus really did die and rise again, and 2, that this Jesus really is both God and Lord.

1�c.. It was not a ghost. It was a physical body. The disciples could see, hear, and touch the body of the risen Lord. This was the body of a person who had died. The wounds of death were visible. There were not only the marks of the nails, but there was the gasping wound in his side also. When Jesus was on the cross, after he had already died, the soldier knew he was already dead but just to make sure, the soldier pierced his side with a spear and immediately blood and water came out (John 19:34). He would have surely bled to death had he not already died. So, Jesus really had died. But Jesus had also really risen. The person who came to the disciples was not an imposter. It was not a look-alike. It was really Jesus. The marks of nails and the mark of the spear showed that this was a person who had been killed on the cross. But now this person was alive and standing before those people who would be witnesses of the Gospel. Even Doubting Thomas was convinced.

2�c... But who is this resurrected person? Yes, it was surely Jesus of Nazareth, but who or what is Jesus? Why was he so special that God raised him from the dead? Thomas understands and proclaims, �gMy Lord and my God!�h Suddenly, Thomas understands the whole gospel plan of God. In Jesus God has become a human in order to save humans from sin and death. And to do that, Jesus had to die for sin and rise for the forgiveness of sin. Thomas understood that for the salvation of the world, a simple human being would not be sufficient. God Himself must do it. And Thomas understood that Jesus was God Almighty, the Savior. Only God could rise from the dead after a crucifixion. And Thomas knew that Jesus had died and rose again for Thomas himself. Thomas understands and proclaims, �gMy Lord and my God!�h

This Gospel lesson is about Thomas, but really it was written for us. We, and every Christian, are like Thomas in two ways: 1, that we want to see proof, and 2, that we have to know and confess and live that Jesus is both our God and our Lord.

1�c�c. We want to see proof. As a creation of God, we humans have been given a mind and heart and soul and powers of reason. It is natural to want to see proofs, especially proof of something as important as the death and resurrection of Jesus. We were not there with Thomas to see and touch Jesus, so we have to rely on the witness given by the disciples. John says that is why he wrote this Gospel Book, that we who have not seen can be blessed with faith and eternal life. Through the written Word of God and the proclaimed Gospel and the Sacraments, the Holy Spirit has created faith in our hearts. Of course we want to make sure. We love to see proofs of God existence and activity in our lives. We would love to see a miracle or healing or a direct answer to our prayers. Some people want to have a warm feeling in their heart. Some people want to speak in tongues or prophesy. We want to see a sign. These signs are okay, but the only sure sign that God has given us is His Word and the Sacraments. Baptism and the Lord�fs Supper are something that we can see and feel. The Sacraments are the closest thing that we will have next to the experience of Thomas. And if you believe, or if you even want to believe, that is proof that the Holy Spirit is working faith in your heart!

2�c�c And then when we believe that Jesus died and rose from the grave, then we must confess our faith: �gMY Lord and MY God.�h It is not enough to know that Jesus died and rose again; it is not enough to have the knowledge that he is the Savior and God. We have to know that he is �gMY Lord.�h That he died on the cross to forgive MY sin. That he rose from the grave to give ME eternal life and salvation. That confession must make a difference in our lives. First it gives us freedom. It gives freedom from sin and guilt and the fear of death and the fear of hell. It gives us freedom to live the Christian life. The Christian life is a life of prayer, worship, and love toward others. The power to live this way is because Jesus Christ is Almighty God, and so can give us the power to be his follower. When we are a follower, then He is our Lord. Our Lord is our Leader, our Protector, and our Provider.

Like Thomas, we will all probably have our doubts once in a while. Then Jesus will come to us again and bless us. And then like Thomas, we too will make our confession of faith, not just once, but over and over again, �gMy Lord and my God!�h

Amen.

Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church

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