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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
The Book of Acts Bible Studies
January 2009
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The 2nd Sunday of Easter (B) Text: John 20:19-31 April 19, 2009 A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense’s closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all,” the lawyer said as he looked at his watch. “Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom.” He looked toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A minute passed. Nothing happened. Finally the lawyer said, “Actually, I made up the previous statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I therefore put it to you that there is reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed, and that therefore you must return a verdict of not guilty.” The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty. “But how?” inquired the lawyer. “You must have had some doubt. I saw all of you stare at the door.” The jury foreman replied: “Oh, we looked, but your client didn’t.” “Reasonable doubt.” In this case, the jury was convinced that there was no reasonable doubt that the person in question was truly dead – and that the defendant knew it. Not because they physically saw the evidence, but because they saw the defendant! So how can we know beyond any “reasonable doubt” that Jesus is truly alive? That is the issue that is being addressed in today’s gospel. How can those of us who have not actually seen Jesus or touched him know that he is indeed risen and is with us now? In our daily experience, we usually say that “seeing is believing.” But in some situations, however, “believing” does not depend upon seeing. Something believing comes from something more – a flash of insight (as was true with the jurors) or even a leap of faith. How many of us have ever struggled with a problem that seemed to be unsolvable, when suddenly – after considering it from another direction – the solution became crystal clear? It happens all the time, such as with the illustration I used for my children’s sermon. The fact that we did not “see” the answer at first did not mean that it wasn’t there – it is just that something more than just sight was necessary! That was the situation with the apostle Thomas in today’s gospel. He did not “see” the risen Jesus like the other disciples had – and therefore he said that he would not believe. To Thomas, physically seeing Jesus and touching him was necessary in order for him to believe that Jesus was truly alive. Thomas has been vilified over the years and centuries since then as being the “Doubting Thomas” – but to be honest, I think that I and probably most of us here are just like him. As we will sing in one of our communion songs today: “I want to see Jesus – I want to see Jesus – to reach out and touch him – I want to see Jesus.” Haven’t we all felt that way? Wouldn’t it be great if we could actually see our risen Lord and touch him as his first disciples did? Think of how much easier it would be for us to believe if we could actually see and touch our risen Lord! But the reality is that we do not see Jesus – and we can not touch him – at least physically. So how can we believe? How can we know that Jesus is alive – and how can we experience his presence if we can’t see and touch and talk with him? Perhaps we can rely on the witness of others. I think that is part of what John is trying to show us in his gospel. Like the jurors basing their verdict upon what they saw in the behavior of the defendant, most of us have come to faith in Jesus – not because we have seen him directly, but because of others whose lives have been influenced by him. Many if not most of us here are believers because of our parents, or friends, or other people whom we have come to know and admire. We hear their testimony and see what Jesus means for them in their lives – and base our belief upon that. Indeed, that is what the Holy Scriptures are about. The Bible’s purpose is to show us how God has acted in the lives of people – and then to invite us to believe so that we can experience God’s love and power in our lives. John himself states this in today’s gospel when he writes that “These are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” But ultimately, experiencing the risen Jesus depends upon our response of faith. Until we believe, we will not see or experience his presence. About five years ago in a sermon, I shared an experience that I had when I was a pastor in Ohio. I was helping to lead a summer confirmation camp. Part of the camp experience was inviting people to try a HIGH ROPES COURSE. As a pastor, I of course felt that I had to try it myself if I was to encourage any of my confirmation students to do it. Let me tell you, everything looks a LOT different from thirty feet above the ground! At that height, we had to walk on a log, walk on a wire while holding on to another wire about five feet above the first one, and do a number of other things as well. But the main thing that we had to “do” was to believe – based upon the assurances of our instructor – that our safety “belay” line that was fastened to a wire above us would hold us if we slipped and fell. Doing that HIGH ROPES COURSE was scary – but it was also an exhilarating experience! After completing it, I felt fantastic! But I only had that experience because I was first willing to believe the instructor that everything would be fine. If I had not been willing to believe him, I would never have experienced what I did. And so it is with our relationship with Jesus Christ. People in our lives and the Scriptures invite us to put our faith in a Jesus whom we can not see – but yet which we are assured is indeed very real. As St. Anselm once prayed: “Lord, I do not seek to understand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand; and what is more, I believe that unless I do believe I shall not understand.” “I believe so that I may understand.” "I believe so that I may experience the living Jesus." May the Holy Spirit help us to believe in the risen Jesus even when we can not see him and touch him. May the Holy Spirit help us to believe even when we can’t understand. For when we believe, that is when we will come to know and experience our Lord’s living presence, his love, and his peace – beyond a reasonable doubt – and in a way that is even more real than anything we can see and touch. So may it be for us, in Jesus’ name. Amen! -------------------- Pastor George Karres 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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