Scripture John 20:19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples were closed for fear of the Judeans, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you all.” And having said this, Jesus showed them his hands and his side, and then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Messiah. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you all, just as the Living God has sent me, so I send you all.” When Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit; if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
But Thomas, one of the twelve who was called Didymus (the Twin) was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Messiah.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
And within eight days his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though the doors were shut, and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you all.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Bring your hand and put it in my side and do not doubt, rather believe.” Thomas answered him, saying, “My Savior and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Was it because you have seen me that you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
Sermon
There once was a great, joyful story,
That started with sadness and worry.
Though Jesus had died,
God’s power applied,
And Jesus was raised up in glory!
And yet, that great tale was not ended
Because all whom Jesus befriended,
Still playing the blues,
Awaited the news,
Upstairs in a room well-defended.
They locked all the doors, and they hid.
They still feared the things Pilate did
Would mean they were toast,
And then Rome would boast
That of all of them, now they were rid.
But just then, well, who should appear,
And startle them all in their fear,
But the one who’d been raised,
Yes, he whom they’d praised!
Despite the lock, Jesus was here!
And Jesus said, Peace be with you,
As right through the wall he came through.
And this Jesus was real;
He was the real deal!
And he showed them his wounds, and they knew.
Rejoicing together, they listened
As Jesus’s new plan was christened:
He gave them the Spirit,
And when they could hear it,
He gave them a wonderful mission.
Go out and forgive! Jesus cried.
This is your new gig. Don’t hide
Inside anymore.
Go out of this door
For God’s love and God’s mercy are wide.
And oh, with such joy and such grace,
They almost forgot what took place:
This thing came about
While Thomas was out.
He never saw Jesus’ face.
So later when Thomas came in
And proof of this story was thin
They said, He is back!
And Tom said, I lack
The evidence you need to win…
…my trust in this quite doubtful tale.
In fact, my gut tells me, you’ll fail.
Unless I can feel
His wounds, all unhealed
I won’t believe you, and I’ll bail!
The days of that next week flew by,
While all the disciples asked why
Tom just couldn’t take
Their word, for Tom’s sake!
Then, suddenly, Jesus was nigh!
Again, he said, Peace be with you!
And turning to Tom, he said, Do
Put your hand in my side,
And you’ll see, though I died,
God’s raised me, and I live anew!
And then, on his knees, with bowed head,
My Lord and My God, Thomas said.
And Christ said, I’m glad
That proof you have had.
Now let’s have some wine and some bread.
But now think of those who trust me
Even though they did not see
The wounds that I bear.
What a blessing is there
For them, trust in me sets them free!
And so, even though Thomas doubted,
And his need for proof then was outed,
The love Jesus bears
For all those who dare
To trust in his name must be shouted.
And yet, I say, doubting is good:
A sign that you care, as you should,
For all that is true,
And doubt is your cue
Your heart’s made of flesh, not of wood.
And now, please forgive this poor rhyme,
That’s taken up all of your time.
But Jesus’s love
And God’s from above,
Provides us with joy that’s sublime.
Thanks be to God! Amen.