The disciples were in lockdown. Not for fear of COVID, but for fear of the Jews. They saw what happened to Jesus, and they didn’t want to be next. Maybe if we just hunker down here this will all soon blow over. When the coast is clear, we can go back to Galilee and figure out what’s next. But the women are saying some strange things, and Peter and John confirmed it, the tomb is empty. Could it possibly be that Jesus did what he said he would do, that he rose from the dead?
And directly into this swirling mess of fear and confusion and doubt, comes Jesus. He simply appears in their midst, with no explanation, and needing no invitation.
He doesn’t scold them for their cowardice. He doesn’t come to berate them for leaving him out to dry in his darkest hour. He doesn’t come to punish them for their failures. He comes in peace.
“Peace be with you” he says. And already in this greeting, we can tell everything is going to be all right.
He shows them his hands and his side. This is his divine ID. And it is a grand summary of the Gospel. It proves it’s really him, in the flesh. It proves he really died. And by virtue of the fact that he’s standing there with them – he shows them he is alive! He’s done it all for them. It’s all come to pass, just as he said.
And in those wounds, and in his risen body, and in his merciful greeting – the disciples have peace. So also, for us.
We stand a week away from Easter, and a little more from Good Friday, and we too can find ourselves hunkered down in fear. Our fears are different, to be sure. But we also have confusion and doubt. We have hurt and pain. And we surely have sin. We have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection, but we have lived as if that doesn’t matter. We have the spiritual memory of goldfish, rejoicing one day, despairing the next. We are like Paul, doing the evil we hate, and not doing the good we desire. Wretched man, indeed. Who will save me from this body of death?
And there stands Jesus – alive – with the answer. Only Jesus can do it. And Jesus has done it. In those wounds we find the peace that Jesus proclaims. Peace with God. Peace with conscience. Peace and not guilt, shame, fear, or doubt. The disciples were then glad. So are we.
But he has more to offer. Again he repeats his peace, but now with a mission for these disciples. “As the Father sends me, so I am sending you”. The word there – sent one – is “apostle”. Jesus, the original “apostle”, the one sent from the Father, now sends these men, apostles them, with a mission of their own.
He empowers them with the Holy Spirit, breathing that very Spirit on them. And then he says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
And so he establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry.
These words of Jesus were fulfilled again this morning, in our Confession and Absolution. You came, gathered in the name of the Triune God. But the first order of business, the first item on the liturgical agenda is dealing with the elephant in the room – sin. How can a sinner stand before Holy God? How can a worm like you, or me, withstand the presence of the Holy, Holy, Holy One?
We confess our sins. Partly because we know it’s safe to do so. We know that our Lord Jesus Christ brings peace, not condemnation. And so we are honest with our God and ourselves. We say what he has said about us – that we sin in thought, word and deed – sins done and undone. Love for God and neighbor failing. We cover it all.
And then, and then! The best part! John 20 springs into action. These words of Jesus come alive for us. “If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven!” The servant God puts in this place speaks the words of forgiveness Jesus commands:
“In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ” I stand here in his stead. It’s as good as if Jesus himself was standing here saying these things. And you know that because of is command. No pastor dares take it upon himself to forgive sins of his own right. No one can forgive sins but God alone. But when Jesus, who is God, commands us to do so? Then His word is good, even if it’s through a buffoon or a scoundrel. And there is great comfort for all of us.
Jesus would repeat this charge to his apostles, and also to Peter whom he commanded, “Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep.” And these apostles passed the blessings on to the next generation of pastors – to care for the next generation of sheep, and on through the ages of the church. God continues calling men to preach and teach and forgive sins. Jesus continues speaking through them. And so his sheep, you, his people, are well cared for.
Now on to Thomas. He missed the first visit. But Jesus goes out of his way to include him. He makes a special visit. Just like the Good Shepherd to go after the one lost sheep. And he uses Thomas’ own words of doubt to call him to faith. “You want to see and touch, do you? OK, Thomas, put your fingers out – touch my wounds. Stop doubting and believe!” He knows just what Thomas needs.
But not just Thomas. Jesus knows that others will believe, even without seeing the risen Christ or touching his wounds. Thomas was blessed to see and touch Jesus. We are blessed to hear and come to faith by the word.
Christ comes to his people in various ways, bringing peace and forgiveness. He washes us in baptism. He absolves us in the word of the pastor. And he also invites us to His Supper.
The Lord’s Supper! Where the risen Christ comes to be with us in a miraculous way! The Supper – in which he appears, not with nail-scarred hands and spear-pierced side, but under the humble forms of bread and wine. The Supper! The meal that brings us peace and forgiveness of sins. The Holy Sacrament in which we do touch the body of the Lord, and he unites himself with us through eating and drinking. And also, in this means of grace, does he strengthen our faith – and call us to “stop doubting, and believe!”
Finally John tells us the purpose of his book – his gospel. And really, by extension, it’s the purpose of all Holy Scripture – these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and by believing, you may have life in his name.
Jesus wants he people to have his gifts – peace, forgiveness, faith, and life! And these words of his, like all his words – deliver what they promise.
His word brings peace – for we know that the risen Christ is with us in mercy.
His word brings forgiveness – so surely and personally, for he has instituted an office to deliver that forgiveness in his stead.
His word brings faith! It comes by hearing, yes, as the Spirit works to convict our hearts and minds – with the gift of repentance and the assurance of Christ’s blessing.
And his word brings life – for where there is forgiveness of sins, there is life and salvation. Where there is faith – he who believes in me will live, Jesus says. And that life is strong, and sure and unwavering and unquenchable. For Jesus himself lives, and in him we have life. Jesus has conquered death, and we too shall rise. Jesus paid the penalty of the law, so that we can say, “Where, oh death is thy sting?” Jesus gives life, and gives it abundantly.
Here we are, his disciples, gathered again in the echo of Easter. Here Jesus comes among us with his gifts. Here brings peace, forgiveness, faith and life. Let us stop doubting and believe, and receive these gifts in great joy. With Thomas we confess, he is, my Lord and my God. And, Christ is risen…..
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