Year C

John 20:19-31

The Very Rev. Denise Vaughn

Resurrection Changed People

The Rev. Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Today a part of Forward Movement, wrote this past week in a meditation that he sends out every week to anyone who subscribes to Forward Today, “the theme for today may be summed up in the phrase, “The Difference that Easter Makes.” All three lessons, he writes present a contrast between a typical perspective on the world in which we live and one that is informed by the reality of Christ’s resurrection.” For me, personally the deepest proof of Jesus’ resurrection comes from the transformed lives of his followers then, and now. We read in the gospels about disciples who not only denied Jesus, but fled at his crucifixion, and then hid in fear, to Acts disciples who after the resurrection and the Lord’s ascension boldly go out into the world proclaiming his teachings and serving the world in his name.

Throughout the Easter season we will witness the growth of the disciples faith and the spread of the gospel. The resurrection creates in the disciples the faith and courage to persevere, serve, and witness that “Christ is risen .” The resurrection changed everything. Yet, for Thomas who did not get to see Jesus the first time he appeared to the disciples, to know that the word of his Lord’s resurrection is no cruel hoax is just asking for nothing more than what the other disciples got: a chance to see Jesus in person and hear his words of forgiveness. Thomas, in my opinion gets a bad rap, he isn’t so much a doubter as he is a realist. Three days earlier, he had watched as his teacher and friend was nailed to the cross, and so he wants proof when he hears Jesus is alive. Is this any different than the unbelief of Peter and the others who thought the women were crazy when they came from the empty tomb proclaiming the Lord had risen?

Up until this story, faith came to those who saw Jesus face to face. The story of Thomas sets us up for the experience of God not based solely on sight. The other disciples, they have seen the risen Jesus the night of that first Easter Sunday. He appeared to them as they are locked behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. He offers them peace and breathes on them the Holy Spirit. This wonderful picture of Jesus breathing on the disciples is reminiscent of the Genesis creation story where God breathes life into Adam and Eve. They had experienced a profound mystery and empowerment for their mission and yet, here they are again a week later in fearful retreat behind locked doors. And we might wonder at this point if the resurrection will ever make a difference in their lives. And God responds with patience and with a demonstration that should satisfy even the most hardened doubter.

Into the locked room steps Jesus offering peace once again to his disciples. Thomas is there and even though Jesus’ appearance is changed after the resurrection, he still bore the marks of the crucifixion. Thomas recognizes him by the marks of the nails and the wound in his side. His affirmation of belief “My Lord and my God” marks the climax of the entire gospel of John. This is John’s equivalent of the Great Commission of which we read in the gospel of Matthew. To go and witness to what they have seen and received. Jesus then blesses those who have not seen and yet will come to believe. For those of us who did not witness those original events and whose faith is born, we can believe on the basis of the witness of the scriptures and the witness of lives changed.

We read of the ways believers responded to the resurrection of Jesus in the ministry of those first disciples in today’s text from Acts which suggests that the disciples never tired of explaining to others what had been hard for them to understand. By the time of Peter’s testimony that we read about today before the religious council, Pentecost has come and gone, and the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, have been preaching in the Temple and performing miraculous healings. People are flocking to the Temple to hear them and to bring the sick and infirm to be healed. More and more believers are added every day to the Lord. So it’s no wonder that the temple leaders, were disturbed by all of this.

They arrest Peter and John, keep them overnight in prison, ask them what they are about, and warn them to speak no longer in Jesus’ name. The apostles do not heed this warning, and again are arrested by the temple leaders. But an angel comes during the night to release them from prison and they return to the Temple at daybreak to continue teaching in Jesus’ name. These events bring us to today’s text. The temple police, greatly surprised at finding the apostles preaching in the Temple when they are suppose to be in prison, bring them before the council again, who question them a second time. Peter testifies to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the power of God that they must obey over human authority. Following Peter’s testimony, the leaders are enraged and wanted to kill then. Instead miraculously they are given a warning and flogged, and they return joyfully to teaching in the Temple.

As our reading from Acts introduces the persecution of the early followers of Christ, so our reading from Revelation today expands on this reality. Whether persecution was actually being experienced or simply anticipated, the hearers of this book lived under threat from the authorities and possibly even their own family and neighbors for following and believing in Christ. The apostle John wrote these words a generation or two after the resurrection of which John continues to witness to, to the seven churches in Asia. He declares Jesus as “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” and designates the community as “priests serving his God and Father.”

Those who identify with Jesus become people who intercede before God in behalf of the world and standing before the world in behalf of God. Here on this second Sunday of Easter with John and all who have joyfully witnessed to the difference Easter has made in their lives, we know more is coming. The God who had the first word, the word by which creation came into being, will also have the last word, the word by which the new creation will come into being. This is the promise of Easter that changes everything. Proclamation, priestly service, confession, and praise, all rather risky endeavors, inform the vocation of God’s people as witnesses to the resurrection. We can give our testimonies and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit that was breathed on us and fills us to give life and make God present for you, for me, and for others. This is the difference Easter makes.