John 20:19-31

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! What a wonderful message to hear as we gather again in worship to celebrate and remember the glorious Easter events. Yes, last week we heard those alarming words of an angel saying: You’re looking for Jesus of Nazareth, he’s not here for he has risen. He is risen indeed!

Today our reading continues to explain what was happening on that Easter Sunday when women found an empty tomb. But this time the focus is on disciples and the message is little bit more peaceful.

It was evening on the day of Jesus resurrection, and the disciples were hiding behind locked doors. Again, we can imagine the atmosphere in that room, mixed feelings of fear, anxiety and shame… Can we relate?

Let me ask you this way? What is hidden behind those locked doors of your life? What are the things that you’re keeping in? Things that you don’t want anyone to see or to find out about. Things that worry you daily and trouble your mind.

We’re not much different from the disciples for we fear a lot. But the risen Jesus comes today and does something spectacular. He walks through those closed door of our lives and he says: Peace be with you. You know the very interesting thing is, that disciples didn’t open the door and didn’t welcome Jesus with open arms. Couple verses down when Jesus appears to disciples for the second time it is emphasized that the doors were still shot.

Why is this important? Well can you imagine if Jesus would have just stood outside knocking… What would have happened? Well, there is a good chance that they wouldn’t open. But there are situations in our lives and they happen to be the most difficult ones when Jesus just simply walks in, because he knows we’re too weak or too scared to open the doors of our heats.

But Christ doesn’t wait for us, but with his power he enters and says: Peace be with you. I know of your struggles and your fears and that why I’m here. It is ok, says Jesus, peace be with you.

And when the disciples saw him, they rejoiced. Well that’s what happens when Christ enters our lives. There not much room left for sadness, pain and fear, for all these things are taken over by joy, comfort and peace. For Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! In this message we know we have the final victory. And isn’t that reason for rejoicing?

For with the presence of Christ in our hearts, we receive the power of God’s Spirit, the spirit that leads us in wisdom and understanding, the spirit that gives us counsel and strength, the spirit that fills our lives with knowledge and the fear of the Lord but mostly with joy.

That’s why disciples rejoice. That’s why Christians all over the world rejoice daily in the presence of the Lord. But of course there is that catch. And it’s called doubting Thomas. You know you gotta love him. For Thomas, was the bravest one of all, the one who just didn’t hide and wait, but took actions in his own hands. When the rest of the disciples were hiding, he wasn’t with them.

Where was he? Well the Bible doesn’t really tell us, but we can make an assumption that Thomas was out there looking for Jesus. He was after those who stole his body. He was going to find out the truth on his own. Do we have those truth seekers among us? Have ever doubted the message about the resurrected Christ, for you needed a proof, for it just didn’t make sense, for you needed to experience that powerful touch of Jesus? I have to say, most of us have been there.

I myself have searched for a long time. I have questioned everything the Bible says. I was trying to find the rational explanations, I needed the evidence, I needed to know whether is the basket where I’m willing to put all my eggs. And on my journey searching for Christ I found out one very important thing.

It is not us that find Christ but Christ finds us. And it doesn’t happen when we’re out there on our own, it doesn’t happen under our terms and conditions, but it happens in God’s perfect time when we’re surrounded by community of believers. Disciples were all together when they saw Christ, Thomas was alone and he missed him. And even when they witnessed saying: We have seen the Lord, Thomas’ stubborn reply was: Unless I see his wounds and touch them with my own hands, I will not believe.

But then week later disciples were again in the house, and this time Thomas was with them. Apostle John emphasized this fact. For it was when they were all together that Jesus came and stood among them and said: Peace be with you. And he approached Thomas and said: Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach our your hand and put it in my side. Do you think this was necessary. I’m sure it wasn’t, Thomas’ heart must of melted joy the second he saw Jesus.

But Jesus had done this to share with his disciples and all of us one very important message, the message of Easter morning: Do not doubt but believe! And there is only one answer to these powerful words of Jesus, words that testify the best about the risen Christ: My Lord and my God! This was the breaking point for Thomas, and these very same words are the breaking point for millions of Christ’s followers.

For the Apostle Paul assures us of this when he says: If you confess with your lips that Jesus is the Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Let us all confess with our lips together with Thomas: My Lord and my God. Just say it out loud, it doesn’t have to be in unison, for these are the most powerful words we can speak as we confess and believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. My Lord and my God.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Blessed are you who have not seen and yet you just confessed with your lips that Jesus is your Lord. Did it feel good? Just look around you, you’re not alone. Your surrounded by Christ as he lives in your hearts. Isn’t that a reason for rejoicing? Alleluia! For Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Amen