By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sermon Text: John 20:24-29
Sermon Theme
Even after the Resurrection, we read of the disciples themselves having doubts about Jesus. So-called “Doubting” Thomas was hardly alone in this. Jesus repeatedly affirmed that he would rise again on the third day. Thomas has not seen the risen Christ, so he has strong doubts. Yet even when the disciples see Jesus, some of the them doubt him. Why do they doubt? Doubts arise because what is claimed appears to be impossible. They also arise because of perceived contradictions. Finally, doubt can be a sign of despair. These reasons for doubt have been with us since the earliest disciples witnessed the first Easter. These doubts are only answered by the presence of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon Outline
- Denial. Doubt arises when we are told something that appears to be impossible. Thomas cannot believe the testimony of the other disciples that they “have seen the Lord.” No one survived Roman crucifixion. To say that Jesus was alive after that was to claim something manifestly impossible. Thomas could not accept that the disciples had really seen Jesus. A growing number of people today find it impossible to believe in Jesus’ resurrection.
- Discrepancy. We don’t know exactly what Thomas expected that Passover, but Jesus’ crucifixion certainly wasn’t it. Thomas has repeatedly heard and seen things that made no sense to him. Thomas assumes that when Jesus says they should go to Lazarus after his death that the disciples too are going to their death. Thomas doesn’t understand Jesus’ statement that he goes to prepare a place for us. None of these things fit in with Thomas’ experience or understanding. There is the possibility that Thomas has been disappointed and he is not willing to allow himself to be vulnerable again. We have difficulty accepting Jesus when we see him contradicting our way of seeing things.
- Despair. The most devastating form of doubt is despair. Despair is the giving up of hope. We see any number of figures in Scripture struggle with despair including Jacob, Naomi, Job, David, Jeremiah, Mary and Martha and Paul. Thomas may have fallen into despair after Jesus’ death. Tomorrow we will have the privilege of hosting this year’s community Yom Hashoah service remembering the victims of the Holocaust during World War II. Faced with the horrors of that experience, many asked, “Where is God?” Thomas is not left in his despair and neither are we. Jesus appears through the shut doors and invites Thomas to touch him. Thomas’ doubts disappear. He cries out, “My Lord and my God.” The risen Christ alone casts out our despair and overcomes our doubt.
Questions for Us
- How hard is it for us to believe in the full truth of the Resurrection? We live in a world where more and more people doubt the truth of the Gospel. How do those doubts affect us?
- How do we respond when things turn out very differently from how we had hoped or prayed? How do we handle situations which seem to contradict the promises of God? Can we identify with Thomas in his doubts?
- What do we say to someone in despair who doubts that God even exists? How do we minister to people in deep tragedy? How can we show the love of Christ even when we feel there is nothing we can say?
