After that day, everything was different. The first disciples witnessed a dead man walking. Their lives would be forever changed, defined by “life before Easter” and life “life after Easter.” On numerous occasions, Jesus showed up in resurrected form before he ascended. In the season of Easter we will examine six “after Easter” encounters with Jesus. What did he say and do? In what practical ways does resurrection change my daily life? Nothing will ever be the same.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
O God, you are the beginning, the middle, and the end. You are all in all. Lead me. Help me. Forgive me. Keep me from wandering and weariness. Keep my love ready and willing to serve You by serving others. Praise and honor be to You, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. Amen.
Confession
O God, how can I believe without your help. I am filled with doubt. “What about . . . ?” “Is it really true?” “How do I really know you’re there? That you’re listening? That you care about me?” I confess with honesty all my fear and disbelief. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me. I believe; help my unbelief.
Word
“Jesus came and stood among them.” John 20:26
Meditation
Today’s meditation is by Grace Herzog.
Ever since I was a little kid, I have heard the story of “Doubting Thomas” over and over again. The same cliché words were nailed into my mind: “Don’t be a doubting Thomas, Grace, believe like the other disciples.” I took those words with a grain of salt. It’s God, I thought, it’s not hard to believe.
As I got older, I’ve started to understand that believing is not as simple as my past self thought. Life happens. Pandemics disrupt my sense of normal. Family members pass away, and I’m stuck with questions about my faith and wondering where God is in the silence. My belief in God’s ultimate plan waivers and my faith foundation starts to crack.
Reading this passage again, I see myself in the shoes of the disciples and Thomas who “locked their doors in fear.” When the world is full of hate and my life seems like a mess, I become fearful of the world and others, too.
Yet I’m comforted in the hope of Jesus Christ. Even when the disciples are locked away in a cramped room, scared of the outside, Jesus walks through their barriers and reveals himself to them. The living Son of God goes so far as to breath on lowly and sinful human beings. Jesus gives them peace in their chaos like he does with me.
This is especially shown in Thomas, who explicitly says he will never believe. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Jesus did not have to come back to reveal himself to Thomas. Jesus did not have to reveal himself to anyone who did not believe in him. After all, we are the sinners. But Jesus, in his mercy, still returns to be present with Thomas and the disciples, meeting them in their unbelief.
When it is hard to trust in God’s goodness, Jesus provides us with reassurance and hope. He comforts us when we fear, revealing his tender character. Jesus stands among us in our doubts.
Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Son to stand with me in the times where my belief in you waivers. Help me live out my trust in you for the world to see. Amen.
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. (Rom. 15:13)