Sunday 19 April 2009
- Bible Book:
- John
"Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.'" (v.29)
Background
There are some strong words and feelings in this passage -'peace', 'rejoiced', 'doubt', 'blessed', 'life'. It is a story thatcovers the unimaginable moment when a person who was deeply loved,but publically humiliated and destroyed, appears again to those wholoved him. The intense feelings of loss and relief are compoundedbecause when it had come to the crunch, the disciples had let Jesusdown and fled. 'Mixed feelings' hardly begins to describe what thatexperience must have been like.
Into the disciples' fear and shame Jesus declares peace. In themiddle of their sadness and despair he brings joy and hope. Oursand the disciples' incredulity, "How can the dead live?" iscompounded by an ancient belief that the publically disgracedcannot be rehabilitated. It is not just that the dead don't rise;it is that the crucified don't. Power doesn't work that way. Poweris power and vulnerability and disgrace aren't part of the deal.But Jesus' presence challenges both ancient wisdom and modernscepticism. The crucified is risen and 'all bets are off' - to usea rather un-Methodist phrase.
Where bereavement results in anger, grief and despair, men andwoman can now experience peace and joy for Jesus is risen.
Where mistakes, misfortunes and misadventures mean regret, shameand guilt, men and women can now experience hope and joy for thetomb is empty.
Perhaps Thomas stands for us all. He wants to see and to touch andto know what his friends knew to be true. For us, it has to be theextra blessing of those who believe but do not see. Our sight hasto be limited to the tales of hope and forgiveness that mark theChristian story; for while we cannot see as Thomas did, the samepower is at work today, for the crucified one is risen and allthings now are possible.
To Ponder
Notice how uncomfortable hope is. To be hopefulisn't to have the capacity to think optimistically - but thecourage to believe that God's promises are faithful andtrustworthy.
Notice how transforming hope is. We are set atodds with what we have taken for granted. All bets are off! Thecrucified is risen! What possibilities are there now in yourlife?
Notice also how life-giving hope is. Thedisciples rejoiced when everyone expected them to grieve. Anger atloss became energy to change the world.