Greetings to you on Thomas’ Sunday on the Second Sunday of Easter. A Sunday where we recognize the humanity of all believers across time.
Our invitation to worship acknowledges that the mystery of Christ is the bridge between our humanity and eternity and embracing the mystery sustains us for life. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles recounts the story of Peter declaring Jesus was the one who God promised from the beginning who would save us from sin and the sign of his nature is his resurrection. The psalmist offers a reminder that our protection comes from God alone and that being in God’s family gives us strength to continue in life. The reading from the first letter of Peter defines Jesus and how he fulfilled the promises given in Creation. The reading from John’s gospel is the recounting of Jesus meeting the Apostles, with and without Thomas, and how Thomas ultimately declares that Jesus is both Lord and God.
To coin the phrase of Anthony Weldon’s 1651 book The Court and Character of King James, “fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice, shame on you.” We live in a time where skepticism tends to reign supreme. But we are reminded, at least in our life of faith, that doubt and questioning are not signs of sin. That Thomas offered his true desire, to see Jesus, is not a sign of failure, rather the sign of trying to reconcile head and heart in our faith. Remembering Thomas allows us to state with conviction what God does for us, even when we don’t have perfect evidence. Thomas reminds us that we can be human and beloved by God at the same time, and our humanity is what draws others to God in Christ.
In whom are you encouraged to live in faith even when you don’t have perfect information? Who needs to receive your encouragement to witness from their experience? I invite your comments,
Les+
Lessons: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/easter-2-sermon-1
