Do Not Doubt But Believe

Do Not Doubt But Believe

Easter Day continues as the disciples, except for Thomas, gather again in the “Upper Room.” Perhaps they gather to hide out of fear that they may be next, or out of confusion, sadness or disbelief and doubt. (see John 20:19-29)

And then, the impossible happens: Jesus came and stood among them. Then He said,’ Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” Jesus gives them the Spirit of God: fear turns to courage, sadness turns to joy, and doubt and confusion become belief and confidence.

And with that gift of God’s Spirit, Jesus also sends them out to do what he has been doing: to heal, to teach, to forgive and to give new life to all of God’s.

This is exciting for the disciples, so exciting that when Thomas shows up they trip over themselves to share the good news with him, to announce to him that, "We have seen the Lord." Certainly they expected Thomas to be as excited as they were, but Thomas’ response is about what I believe mine would have been: “right, sure you have, what is wrong with all of you, you’ve got to be kidding.” Thomas then proclaims, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." Again, I don’t blame Thomas. I suspect many of us would have reacted the same way. As most of us are aware, the story doesn’t end here. The Gospel continues. . .

“A week later his disciples were again in the house and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’”

Reading closely, we see that Thomas did not put his fingers into the nail holes, nor did he put his fist into the wound in Jesus’ side. No, when given the same information, the same gift the others had received, he simply proclaimed what all proclaim when confronted with the living Christ, “My Lord and My God!” Jesus then blesses Thomas, and then through Thomas blesses us and sends us out to do what Jesus was doing: to heal, to teach, to forgive and to give new life to all of God’s people.

Almighty and everliving God, we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and for assuring us in these holy mysteries that we are living members of the Body of your Son, and heirs of your eternal kingdom. And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (A Sending Prayer after Holy Communion: Book of Common Prayer, p.366)