Sunday Reflection – April 24, 2022, Easter II

John 20:19-31

“We Have Seen the Lord”

This Sunday, Easter 2, the gospel (John 20:19-31) is that of the Disciples locked behind closed doors, even though they have received the news of the resurrection. The women had come to them earlier that morning to report to the disciples that the tomb was empty. Jesus had risen as he had told them he would do, and Peter and one of the other disciples had immediately gone to the tomb and found it just as they had been told. (Luke 24:10-12)

In the post-resurrection context from which we look at this text, one would think that the disciples should have been out shouting loudly to the world the good news of the resurrection.  They aren’t however, instead they are filled with fear.  While fear itself can be something to reckon with in that it can be immobilizing or debilitating in its effects, rendering one helpless, unable to move on.  We know however fear can also be the protective response one has to the danger that is there, to what threatens us, and for the disciples the thought of what the Romans and the Religious leaders could do to them, especially now that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, was enough to keep the disciples secluded and fearful behind locked doors.  Perhaps too they were a bit fearful of what Jesus might do, or think of them, after all they had all deserted him in his greatest hour.

Jesus however, when he comes to them, doesn’t say to the disciples, “why did you all leave me?” or to Peter, “How could you deny me after saying you would never leave me”? No, Jesus extended peace to them,  “Peace be with you”(20:19) he had said; and the disciples though they did not respond right away, perhaps uncertain as to how they should react, this was afterall their first experience of the risen Lord.  Jesus however perhaps sensing their reservation, shows them his hands and his side.  There was no doubting the marks of his crucifixion, and their response then was to rejoice that they had seen the Lord. 

Thomas, one of the disciples however, wasn’t there with the others when Jesus had come that first time, and so when he returns and the others tell him, “we have seen the Lord.”  Thomas isn’t so quick to believe, instead he wants proof that they had really seen as they had said. “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side,” he says, “ I will not believe.” (20:20) Thomas of course is dubbed as ‘doubting Thomas’ because of this.  But is Thomas really any different than the others, they too needed to see.  Jesus showed them his hands and his side; or ourselves for that matter, with all our questions around the resurrection. How did it really happen,…. did it happen as it is told in the scriptures,… what was Jesus really like when they saw him,…. did he really enter that room without opening the door?….  We too seek our proof for the resurrection. We look for the answers we need. 

We also know however that it is in our struggle, our searching and seeking that we too come to see and believe. Not that we see as the first disciples did, the marks of the nails on Jesus’ hands and side, neither do we have the empty tomb to go look in as they did, or are able to see the linen clothes neatly folded and placed where his head and feet had been.  But we see because we believe. 

Jesus did of course return the following week and Thomas did come to believe. Though the disciples had the immediate or firsthand experience of the resurrection to go on, it didn’t make it any easier for them, as they hadn’t experienced anything like it before. We now however because of their struggles have their testimony to that effect, and so we know we are not alone in it; we also have their testimony and the testimonial of the many faithful who have borne the truth of the resurrection in their own life and story.  In the hope they have known in the difficult and trying times, in the peace they have found in their struggles, and the ungoing presence of the risen Lord seen and felt in the many places of our existence, telling us that he is ever more real and present with us. 

While Having faith, or believing in the resurrection, doesn’t preclude not having fear or doubt at times, or knowing struggles in this life; it does however give us much hope, even in the most dark and trying times; and as did the disciples when they saw the Lord, we too can say because we believe, “we have seen the Lord.”

And so I pray as you reflect upon the scriptures this week you will find in it a bit of encouragement and hope always, trusting in the power of the resurrection ; and know too, what a privilege and blessing it is for me, to share this time with you.  Take care, and God Bless. “WE Have Seen the Lord.”

“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (John 20:29)