Bloghardt's Reflector

“If now I seek the forgiveness of sins, I do not run to the cross, for I will not find it given there… But I will find in the sacrament or Gospel the word which distributes, presents, offers, and gives to me that forgiveness which was won on the Cross.” (AE 40, 214)

St. John 20:25 - Quasimodo Genti 2010

 But let’s see how Thomas got to this point. Today’s Gospel reading  is happening on the evening of Easter Sunday. Just that same morning, Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to Mary Magdalene. She ran and told the Apostles, “I have seen the Lord!” and all that He had done. 

 But “His brothers” didn’t believe her. Nope. Evening comes and they locked themselves in the upper room. Locked - for fear of the Jews. Fear. You know, like the Jews were gonna do to them what they did to Jesus. Fear - like Jesus was really still dead.

 Then... Jesus shows up in their midst, inside the room - with the doors being closed. One second He’s not there, the next second - poof - He’s there. 

 Thank God He just showed up too! Can you imagine if He’d knocked first? “Knock. Knock.” “Who’s there?” “It’s Me, Jesus, open up!” That door would have never been opened! They were terrified. I imagine that the disciples would have been on the other side of the room hiding from the knocking and from the Jews. 

 They were no condition to ever open that door for anyone, especially someone claiming to be Jesus, whom they were certain was still dead.

 "Peace be with y’all!” says Jesus after poofing into their midst. The Lord doesn’t greet them with, “Why’s the door locked, my doubting apostles? Don’t you know that I’m alive? Didn’t I say that I’d raise from the dead? Why didn’t you believe Mary? Why are you in fear?”

 You see, dear friends, the apostles should have believed Mary’s proclamation of the Gospel that, “Jesus Christ is risen form the dead!” because He really had risen from the dead! Alleluia.

But they didn’t. They were Doubting Andrew, Doubting Peter, Doubting James, Doubting John, Doubting Philip, Doubting Bartholomew, Doubting Matthew, Doubting Simon, Doubting Philip, Doubting Judas (not Iscariot), Doubting Thaddaeus. They just didn’t believe. They didn’t understand. They didn’t get it.

 Jesus shows up in their midst - in the midst of their fear, despair, and unbelief, and He peaces them. His words do what they say and deliver His peace - peace with God and peace with those around them.

 “Peace be with you, my Brothers. Death cannot harm you. No, I died for you. I rose for you too. Because I live, you have nothing to fear - ever. Not from the Jews who will persecute you. Not from the world that wants to destroy you. Not from your sins. Not from even death itself. I’ve overcome it all for you. Brothers, look at My hands and My side.” 

 He then gives them the Holy Spirit. Breathes it on them - the very breath of God which enlivened man to life back at creation now enlivens them with His peace, His forgiveness, won for them on the Cross.

 The One who died on Good Friday and rose again on Easter morning now sends them - no more hiding in an upper room. No more fear. No, He sends them out to preach the Gospel.

 No wiggle room either - Jesus is emphatic about this. If you forgive sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you withhold forgiveness, they aren’t forgiven. 

 And the disciples were glad. How could they not be? Jesus had done what He promised. They had seen Him. With their own eyes - His hands and side. He was alive and had saved them!

 All but Thomas.. He wasn’t there that night. He didn’t see Jesus’ hands. He didn’t see Jesus’ side. He heard the word of the Apostles. He didn’t believe. He should have believed. He didn’t. Refused to. Wouldn’t.

 Eight days later, same story. Doors were locked again. Disciples were inside. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus again shows up. He’s not there. Then, poof there. Then, He spoke... “Peace be with y’all.”

 "Thomas, take your finger here, and see my hands. And take your hand and ballo it, thrust it into my side. Be not unbelieving, but believe.”

 Unbelieving no more, Thomas exclaims, “My Lord and My God.” What else could He say? Not only had the Lord died for Him, rose for Him, and lives for Him, but He also word-for-word answered His unbelief and saved even Thomas.

 “Thomas, did you believe because you saw Me? Blessed are those who do not see me, and yet believe.” And the answer is, of course, that Thomas did believe because he saw Jesus. He should have believed without sight, without fingers in wounds, or hands in side. He should have believed the enlivening words of the Apostles.

 But wait a second. Before we are too hard on my Thomas, let’s take a look at his name. Thomas had a nickname. He was called Didumos, which is translated “Twin.” 

 Which should cause us to pause for a second. Just a second. You see, Thomas has a twin. You know all about him. 

 Today, the Lord has engaged you with His Words. He has come into your ears with the simple message, “The Lord has risen!” He has risen indeed. Alleluia. 

 Thomas refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. He refused that gift. Refused to receive what Jesus spoke to him in the external Word - from Mary and from the Apostles. When we do the same, we are just like Thomas. We are his Twins. 

 Jesus has forgiven all your sins. Breathed life into you with His words. Washed your sins away. Fed you life eternal in the Sacrament.

 Yet, you still live the way you live - locked in fear of your sins. Filled with doubts about that you are actually forgiven. Can Jesus really answer for what you have done? Can He forgive even you? Can He give you heaven? Do you believe enough? 

And still, expecting to make up for it all before God, you work to save yourself from the hell that you can’t save yourself from. You hope for rescue, pray for some sign, that God loves you - even you. If He’d just show you - His side, or His hands, you’d believe and you’d know that you don’t have to save yourself.

 I know you think this way. I do too. It’d be just so much easier if I knew that heaven was mine. If all that I had done was forgiven.

 Today, He calls you out of your sins, out of your despair, away from your doubts about His word, His washing, His Body and Blood. He reminds you that there is nothing to fear anymore, nothing left to lock yourself away from.

 His Baptism actually does wash all our sins away, as it did for today for Nicholas. His Word actually delivers His nails-and-spear-pierced peace. His Absolution really delivers forgiveness - from your Pastors as from Christ Himself. His Supper really does give us eternal life in, with, and under the bread and wine.

 Jesus is alive - risen from the dead. You haven’t seen Him, but you have heard about His resurrection from His eyewitnesses.  The words of the Apostles are certain and sure. They deliver life - breathed out by Jesus Himself.

 “My Lord and My God,” says Believing Thomas. No more doubts for Thomas. No more doubts for you or me either. 

 For “Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” In the name of Jesus. Amen.