For the 2nd Sunday of Easter the three assigned Series C readings are Acts 5:12-32; Revelation 1:4-18 and John 20:19-31. Chosen to preach about is John 20:28, “And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God.’”
Tell me the first thing that comes into your mind when I name these apostles: Judas (the betrayer); Peter (the denier) and Thomas (the doubter). Isn’t it interesting that most people think of something negative of these apostles, particularly if you begin with Judas. Today the text focuses on Thomas and because of his refusal to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead when told by the others, has come to be known as “Doubting Thomas.” Of course this is the same Thomas who is quoted in John 11:16 in regard to going to Lazarus who had died in hostile territory, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
Thomas is also the one whose question, “Lord we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” led to Jesus’ well-known answer, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So, one question, one affirmation of faith and one statement of doubt. Is there another to break the tie? And we find that statement also as part of our passage when Thomas sees the Christ and exclaims, “My Lord and my God!”
While there are those who interpret this scene as Thomas finally being convinced when he has the evidence of being able to touch Jesus, it is of some note that no mention is made that Thomas does any touching like he said he would need to do before he believed. For you see, faith does not come by evidence that persuades us of the truth of Christian claims; faith comes about when we are face to face with the Word of God. While we today will not see the Word of God in the Person of the risen Christ standing before us, we see with eyes of faith through the Word of God as found in holy Scripture.
Sadly, even some Christians today continue to long for some kind of sign from God to help us make decisions or know what to do. Yet, there is no sign except that of Jonah in the belly of the fish for three days. So also, our God-given faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead provides all the evidence we need for the truthfulness of not only the words of Jesus but those of the prophets and apostles also. Through blind faith (which means no evidence necessary) we can be assured that our salvation is sure and certain for His promises in the waters of baptism bring eternal life and salvation to even the worst of sinners like you and like me.
In fact, such a Word makes simple water into a washing of regeneration and simple bread and wine into a feeding of the true body and blood of Jesus, the Christ.
Name:Tom Baker