2 Sunday of Easter 415/07 Text: John 20:19-31 Title: Doubt Causes Fear
2 Sunday of Easter
4/15/2007
Text: John 20:19-31
Title: Fear and doubt, be gone!
Today is known among pastors as low Sunday. We call it that because Easter Sunday is the highest attended worship service of the year, and usually the Second Sunday of Easter is one of the lowest attended Sundays of the church year. It is like congregations get worship fatigue. Some people or out of town, while others do not come the next Sunday, or for some any of the following Sundays because they just have not made the connection between the miracle of the resurrection and their life.
Even though you are here today testifying to the fact that you recognize the connection between the resurrection and your life, has it made any difference in your life? I think that question is worth pursuing today.
Easter worship, just like the story of Thomas that we read earlier are the same stories each year. Every Sunday you hear in my sermon that we are all sinners and that Jesus died for our sins. It is the same old story over and over again. Is it possible that we have heard the story so often that we, who are here this morning, have gotten listener fatigue.
Is the resurrection the center of our lives or is the story of the first Easter morning simply another detached narrative that we store along with any number of other stories that we have heard over the course of our lives?
What difference has it made in our day-to-day lives that Jesus was raised? Has the truth of the story actually changed us? Would our lives be any different if Jesus had not been raised?
These are all good questions, questions that need to be answered, for the answers will show if we really have gotten it. For Jesus’ earliest followers, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection changed everything. It transformed a group of frightened and doubting people into a revolutionary movement that impacted the entire Roman world.
The resurrection turned a Jewish teacher into a figure worthy of universal worship. It sent common fishermen to the far reaches of the world. If it can do that, it can transform our lives today, that is if we have ears to hear and eyes to see.
Our Gospel reading for today includes two instances of Jesus showing himself after the resurrection and a final comment by the inspired writer of the Gospel of John.
We see in the first, Jesus appears to his remaining disciples (except for Thomas) and breaths into them the Holy Spirit. In the second appearance, Jesus appears to Thomas who did not believe the other disciples that Jesus was alive and well. Jesus by his bodily presence takes away any doubts that Thomas might have had. Thomas recognizes Jesus in all of his fullness and triumph.
The writer, of the Gospel of John, does not mince words or spin tales for the sake of hearing himself talk. The story about Jesus has a purpose as we can see by reading the last two verses of our text.
This purpose is life altering and uncompromising. The story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection points to only one conclusion: Jesus is the only true way to live the life that God created us to live.
This is critical information. It needs to be the “word on the street.” The Gospel about Jesus Christ is not a myth; t is the Good News.
The various stories about Jesus, his miracles, his appearances, his claims to be God are not the isolated “Christian” equivalent of Aesop’s fables, or like-minded stories intended to teach virtue or ethics.
John has gathered these stories together for one purpose and one purpose only: to inspire a life-altering, paradigm-shifting, world-changing belief in Jesus as the long-awaited good news from God. It is the good news that makes it possible to enjoy life in all of its fullness now and in the new heaven and earth.
The wonderful part of this news is that it is good news for all people. There is some debate among those who spend their lives studying the scriptures whether John means in the last verse that what he wrote brings people to faith, or whether it strengthens a persons faith.
It really does not matter, for one cannot be strengthened in their faith unless they are brought to faith. In either case, the intention of John’s writing and the Gospel message is clear; the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is about mission.
The Gospel seeks to change everyone who hears it, shaping each person into a follower of Jesus Christ. It calls to those on the outside, those who are mired in sin, to become part of the community, the community that God has created, and it continues to call those on the inside to live fully in light of its good news.
That is what it does, the remaining question is, “Have we embraced God’s mission? Have we experienced the life that God desires for us to enjoy forever?” if the answer is no, or we are not sure, what is it that is holding us back?
You say you do not know why you are not seeking to do God’s work? You believe in Christ, his virgin birth, his perfect life, his death that took the punishment that you deserve, the resurrection which promises you eternal life in your body. You believe all those things but you just do not know why you are not motivated and it is depressing.
John’s Gospel has the answer. We just have to dig it out and examine it, for in this lesson God has told us what needs to happen. What do we see in both of the times that Jesus appeared to his disciples, the first time without Thomas, the second time with Thomas. We see at least two stumbling blocks to our being able to fully embrace a life-altering belief in Jesus Christ; fear and doubt.
Okay you say, “I see that, but I did not need God’s Word to point it out. I know I have fear and doubt.” You are right, we all have fear and doubt.
Fear is caused by doubt and it can be paralyzing. Imagine the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion. Their dreams had been crushed. Their movement squelched. Their very lives seemed threatened. They must have asked themselves, “Will we be next?”
To see its true paralyzing nature, we need to set the fear of the disciples in its context. In the first two-thirds of John 20, we learn that Jesus’ tomb is empty. Peter and John race to check it out. They find an empty tomb but they are unable to make sense of it. They return home. Only Mary remains at the grave. She encounters Jesus. Jesus sends her to share the good news with the disciples. She returns to the disciples and announces, “I have seen the Lord.”
Apparently, this eyewitness report from a trusted friend of Jesus did not lessen the fear of the disciples one iota. They remain locked in their house.
How many of us do not fully embrace the mission of Jesus out of fear? More than would like to admit it I am afraid. Something is wrong here, for if the Gospel is true, it claims that God conquered the power of death through his resurrection. Yet fear at its root is about self-preservation. So if God raised Jesus from the dead, and he did what is left to fear?
Martin Luther in “A Mighty Fortress in Our God,” tells us that “The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever!”
Jesus appears to his frightened disciples and breathes the Holy Spirit on them. The Spirit then empowers them to overcome fear and embrace the mission of Jesus. Jesus authorizes them to serve a high calling — the extending of forgiveness to others on behalf of God.
In our baptism we received the Holy Spirit. Has he gotten weaker or is it the same Holy Spirit Jesus breathed on his disciples that day? It is the same Holy Spirit, so we have the power to overcome our fear. We have the power to have an abundant life. We have that power because we have been restored into a right relationship with God.
We are restored, not because of anything we have done, but because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s Spirit empowers us to participate in God’s mission.
What are you afraid of this day? What is keeping you from embracing the life that God created you to live? If Jesus is alive, and he is, how can fear keep you from true life?
Could it be doubt, that keeps you from being free of fear. Doubt is the second great stumbling block to the life that God desires for us. Thomas, forever remembered in the annals of Christendom as “Doubting Thomas,” is unable to believe that Jesus is alive. Even after his fellow disciples proclaim, “We have seen the Lord,” he remains in disbelief. Doubt is as paralyzing as fear. It causes fear, because we think that we might be wrong.
Many of us today are able to grasp the idea of Jesus’ resurrection. Many of us are even able to recognize the incredible power that such an event would have. But I am afraid that many a Christian still has doubt. This is understandable. Thomas doubted and he was much closer to the events than any of us ever will be.
But my dear brothers and sisters in faith, doubt cannot keep us from Jesus Christ. Christian faith is neither naïve nor wrong-headed. It is based on the promises of God, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. The gospel of John deals with Thomas’ doubt by reporting that Jesus met him face to face. In other words, John concedes that Thomas doubted, but Thomas did not remain in doubt. Something happened; Jesus the risen Lord appeared to him. Thomas was transformed from a doubter to one of the most zealous disciples in terms of mission. Thomas is alleged to have carried the Gospel personally as far east as India before his death.
You are not alone if you doubt. Throughout the centuries, many women and men have had their doubts about Jesus, but time and time again, the study of God’s Word ultimately leads to a life-changing faith.
Seek after the truth and it will set you free. Jesus Christ is alive today. This reality can change your life. Let the Holy Spirit move you through fear and doubt so that you can embrace the mission God has given all those he has called the mission of extending eternal life to others. Amen
4/15/2007
Text: John 20:19-31
Title: Fear and doubt, be gone!
Today is known among pastors as low Sunday. We call it that because Easter Sunday is the highest attended worship service of the year, and usually the Second Sunday of Easter is one of the lowest attended Sundays of the church year. It is like congregations get worship fatigue. Some people or out of town, while others do not come the next Sunday, or for some any of the following Sundays because they just have not made the connection between the miracle of the resurrection and their life.
Even though you are here today testifying to the fact that you recognize the connection between the resurrection and your life, has it made any difference in your life? I think that question is worth pursuing today.
Easter worship, just like the story of Thomas that we read earlier are the same stories each year. Every Sunday you hear in my sermon that we are all sinners and that Jesus died for our sins. It is the same old story over and over again. Is it possible that we have heard the story so often that we, who are here this morning, have gotten listener fatigue.
Is the resurrection the center of our lives or is the story of the first Easter morning simply another detached narrative that we store along with any number of other stories that we have heard over the course of our lives?
What difference has it made in our day-to-day lives that Jesus was raised? Has the truth of the story actually changed us? Would our lives be any different if Jesus had not been raised?
These are all good questions, questions that need to be answered, for the answers will show if we really have gotten it. For Jesus’ earliest followers, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection changed everything. It transformed a group of frightened and doubting people into a revolutionary movement that impacted the entire Roman world.
The resurrection turned a Jewish teacher into a figure worthy of universal worship. It sent common fishermen to the far reaches of the world. If it can do that, it can transform our lives today, that is if we have ears to hear and eyes to see.
Our Gospel reading for today includes two instances of Jesus showing himself after the resurrection and a final comment by the inspired writer of the Gospel of John.
We see in the first, Jesus appears to his remaining disciples (except for Thomas) and breaths into them the Holy Spirit. In the second appearance, Jesus appears to Thomas who did not believe the other disciples that Jesus was alive and well. Jesus by his bodily presence takes away any doubts that Thomas might have had. Thomas recognizes Jesus in all of his fullness and triumph.
The writer, of the Gospel of John, does not mince words or spin tales for the sake of hearing himself talk. The story about Jesus has a purpose as we can see by reading the last two verses of our text.
This purpose is life altering and uncompromising. The story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection points to only one conclusion: Jesus is the only true way to live the life that God created us to live.
This is critical information. It needs to be the “word on the street.” The Gospel about Jesus Christ is not a myth; t is the Good News.
The various stories about Jesus, his miracles, his appearances, his claims to be God are not the isolated “Christian” equivalent of Aesop’s fables, or like-minded stories intended to teach virtue or ethics.
John has gathered these stories together for one purpose and one purpose only: to inspire a life-altering, paradigm-shifting, world-changing belief in Jesus as the long-awaited good news from God. It is the good news that makes it possible to enjoy life in all of its fullness now and in the new heaven and earth.
The wonderful part of this news is that it is good news for all people. There is some debate among those who spend their lives studying the scriptures whether John means in the last verse that what he wrote brings people to faith, or whether it strengthens a persons faith.
It really does not matter, for one cannot be strengthened in their faith unless they are brought to faith. In either case, the intention of John’s writing and the Gospel message is clear; the story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is about mission.
The Gospel seeks to change everyone who hears it, shaping each person into a follower of Jesus Christ. It calls to those on the outside, those who are mired in sin, to become part of the community, the community that God has created, and it continues to call those on the inside to live fully in light of its good news.
That is what it does, the remaining question is, “Have we embraced God’s mission? Have we experienced the life that God desires for us to enjoy forever?” if the answer is no, or we are not sure, what is it that is holding us back?
You say you do not know why you are not seeking to do God’s work? You believe in Christ, his virgin birth, his perfect life, his death that took the punishment that you deserve, the resurrection which promises you eternal life in your body. You believe all those things but you just do not know why you are not motivated and it is depressing.
John’s Gospel has the answer. We just have to dig it out and examine it, for in this lesson God has told us what needs to happen. What do we see in both of the times that Jesus appeared to his disciples, the first time without Thomas, the second time with Thomas. We see at least two stumbling blocks to our being able to fully embrace a life-altering belief in Jesus Christ; fear and doubt.
Okay you say, “I see that, but I did not need God’s Word to point it out. I know I have fear and doubt.” You are right, we all have fear and doubt.
Fear is caused by doubt and it can be paralyzing. Imagine the lives of the disciples in the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion. Their dreams had been crushed. Their movement squelched. Their very lives seemed threatened. They must have asked themselves, “Will we be next?”
To see its true paralyzing nature, we need to set the fear of the disciples in its context. In the first two-thirds of John 20, we learn that Jesus’ tomb is empty. Peter and John race to check it out. They find an empty tomb but they are unable to make sense of it. They return home. Only Mary remains at the grave. She encounters Jesus. Jesus sends her to share the good news with the disciples. She returns to the disciples and announces, “I have seen the Lord.”
Apparently, this eyewitness report from a trusted friend of Jesus did not lessen the fear of the disciples one iota. They remain locked in their house.
How many of us do not fully embrace the mission of Jesus out of fear? More than would like to admit it I am afraid. Something is wrong here, for if the Gospel is true, it claims that God conquered the power of death through his resurrection. Yet fear at its root is about self-preservation. So if God raised Jesus from the dead, and he did what is left to fear?
Martin Luther in “A Mighty Fortress in Our God,” tells us that “The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever!”
Jesus appears to his frightened disciples and breathes the Holy Spirit on them. The Spirit then empowers them to overcome fear and embrace the mission of Jesus. Jesus authorizes them to serve a high calling — the extending of forgiveness to others on behalf of God.
In our baptism we received the Holy Spirit. Has he gotten weaker or is it the same Holy Spirit Jesus breathed on his disciples that day? It is the same Holy Spirit, so we have the power to overcome our fear. We have the power to have an abundant life. We have that power because we have been restored into a right relationship with God.
We are restored, not because of anything we have done, but because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s Spirit empowers us to participate in God’s mission.
What are you afraid of this day? What is keeping you from embracing the life that God created you to live? If Jesus is alive, and he is, how can fear keep you from true life?
Could it be doubt, that keeps you from being free of fear. Doubt is the second great stumbling block to the life that God desires for us. Thomas, forever remembered in the annals of Christendom as “Doubting Thomas,” is unable to believe that Jesus is alive. Even after his fellow disciples proclaim, “We have seen the Lord,” he remains in disbelief. Doubt is as paralyzing as fear. It causes fear, because we think that we might be wrong.
Many of us today are able to grasp the idea of Jesus’ resurrection. Many of us are even able to recognize the incredible power that such an event would have. But I am afraid that many a Christian still has doubt. This is understandable. Thomas doubted and he was much closer to the events than any of us ever will be.
But my dear brothers and sisters in faith, doubt cannot keep us from Jesus Christ. Christian faith is neither naïve nor wrong-headed. It is based on the promises of God, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. The gospel of John deals with Thomas’ doubt by reporting that Jesus met him face to face. In other words, John concedes that Thomas doubted, but Thomas did not remain in doubt. Something happened; Jesus the risen Lord appeared to him. Thomas was transformed from a doubter to one of the most zealous disciples in terms of mission. Thomas is alleged to have carried the Gospel personally as far east as India before his death.
You are not alone if you doubt. Throughout the centuries, many women and men have had their doubts about Jesus, but time and time again, the study of God’s Word ultimately leads to a life-changing faith.
Seek after the truth and it will set you free. Jesus Christ is alive today. This reality can change your life. Let the Holy Spirit move you through fear and doubt so that you can embrace the mission God has given all those he has called the mission of extending eternal life to others. Amen
posted by Pastor Rhoads | 12:58 PM
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