Our Risen Lord Calms Every Fearful Heart :: John 20:19-31

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[Introduction]

On the night Jesus was betrayed, his disciples failed to pray. They fell into temptation. They abandoned him. They denied him. Of the twelve, only John was named as seeing Jesus nailed to a cross, bleeding and dying as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Though they had spent almost every waking moment for three years with Jesus, they blew it. 

It’s kind of nice to know that these pillars of the church were just as weak and feeble in heart and mind as we are. Even after hearing that ... Hallelujah! He is Risen! ... the disciples were confused and afraid. 

This is why, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus died and rose again. We too become confused and afraid ... easily I might add. But by his body and blood, Jesus has given us peace. In his perfect love of laying down his life for your sins, he casts out all fear. The marks of the nails in his hands and the gash in his side bear the proof that he indeed was bruised for our iniquities and pierced for our transgressions. His bodily resurrection is proof that God’s justice is done. And his Word and Sacraments are proof that he is with us still today ... still speaking peace amid the chaos of our own sinful hearts and minds. 

Thus, today, Saint John proclaims to you that ...

THE RISEN CHRIST CALMS EVERY WAVERING AND FEARFUL HEART

I.

John writes ... Being the evening of that day, the first of the week, and the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace to you’ (v 19).

First of all, notice that the disciples were together. Though chaos, confusion, and fear had gripped their hearts, they did not neglect one another. They came together. They stood united in heart and mind amid their doubts and differences. Jesus had knit them together as one people, and in this moment, they were caring for one another. When they needed Jesus the most ... when the things of the world gripped their hearts and minds to despair in fear ... they came together. They set aside silly arguments about who is the greatest Christian, and they came together.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I don’t know that extent of fear that has been troubling your heart and mind day after day ... but I do know that worry and anxiety robs you of your sleep, saps the joy out celebration, and causes strife. But look around ... we are here together ... just like the disciples in our text. We are gathered on the same day they gathered no less, the first day of the week. We are together with those who share the Name and Promise of Holy Baptism. We’ve been united to the very Lord Jesus who has died and risen for us. Our doors to this building may not be locked, but maybe your heart is ... maybe your life is ... or your lips or your mind or all of them. 

And if that’s the case, know that you are in the right place ... for behold, Jesus is here, too. He always comes into our midst to announce and deliver the forgiveness of sins ... to establish you and nourish you ... and to calm your troubled hearts. No trial or difficulty has overcome you that he is unaware of. No fear has come upon you that he does not know. He has defeated sin, and guilt, and death, and hell by his cross and empty tomb. As Paul says in Ephesians: You who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace (Eph 2:13-14). Though he will always be True Man, he is also always True God, and he is not limited by closed doors or closed hearts. Instead, he comes ... as promised.

II.

Then Jesus said ... ‘Peace to you.’ When he said this, he showed them his hands and side. Then the disciples, having seen the Lord, rejoiced (vv 19-20).

Though they deserved a harsh rebuke for their sins of omission and commission, for despising his Word, Jesus didn’t read them the riot act. He doesn’t accuse them of sin nor does he wait for them to confess any sin. Instead, he melts fear with words of peace. 

Therefore, Jesus said again: Peace to you. Just as the Father has sent me, so also I send you. And when he said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven (vv 22-23). 

It is that announcement, that Gospel, that word of Absolution, that changes fear to joy and enables all to rejoice in seeing the Lord. Jesus gives peace. And he urges you to share it ... because that is what Christians do. Jesus didn’t wait for you to confess sins before he forgave. And neither should you. His word of peace gives confidence that sins truly are forgiven ... that the Lord himself has reconciled himself to us. 

It’s also that Word of Peace that surrounds our whole worship service. We begin by confessing our sins and hearing Jesus share peace, not only with absolution, but in our readings and the proclamation of the Gospel. Then we proclaim the Lord’s Peace as he comes to us to deliver his true Body and Blood given and shed for the forgiveness of all of your sins. Finally, we leave with his word of peace from Numbers 6 ... The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Face to face with the Risen Lord, Jesus’ disciples are restored ... you are restored ... and we are all given the gift of the Holy Spirit in the breath of life. The Holy Spirit then equips and strengthens us to open our lips and extend that peace to others ... just like the disciples did for their dear brother, Thomas. 

III.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. Therefore, the other disciples said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ (v 24).

This is the saddest part of our reading today. Thomas was not there among the disciples when Jesus came. He missed the first Easter ... with its great joy and blessing. And missing out caused him to doubt the Word of Christ proclaimed by his brothers and sisters. 

Thomas said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the place of the nails and cast my finger into the place of the nails, and cast my hand into his side, I will in no way believe.’ 

Is it any wonder that so many find it difficult to believe the Word given to us, too? The most common sin of all is unbelief. We too sometimes doubt that God could forgive us. We too sometimes doubt we can forgive each other. Sadly, we too sometimes think it to be a small thing when someone skips the Divine Service, thus denying themselves the great blessing of God’s presence and Jesus’ forgiveness in both Word and/or sacrament ... the Peace that surpasses human understanding.

It may be that Thomas wants to believe the word of his brothers ... he may wish it from the depths of his heart ... but sin still grips him. He needs what we all need. He needs the communion of saints along with the gifts of Christ. 

The same Spirit that equipped the disciples has also been given to you for the same task ... to tell others what they’re missing ... that we see and hear the Lord in His Word and Sacrament. There is no need to have this be difficult. We can begin with your own family, friends, and closest neighbors ... any who, like Thomas, have wavering hearts.

Then John writes ... After eight days again, his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace to you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Bring your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and cast it into my side. Do not be unfaithful, but faithful. And Thomas answered, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (vv 26-27).

None of this would have happened without the gathering of the disciples to share in the peace of the resurrected Jesus. They brought Thomas to the Word of Jesus, and the result gave Thomas one of the greatest confessions in the whole Bible: He recognized Jesus as ‘My Lord and my God!’ (v 28) 

[Conclusion]

Brothers and sisters in Christ, don’t neglect gathering together, for this is where Jesus has promised to be. This is where Jesus extends his peace in the forgiveness of sins. This is where our risen Lord calms all troubled and wavering hearts. This is where the pierced hands of Jesus poured the water of baptism over you, forgiving your sins and giving you his Holy Spirit. This is where the resurrected body is given for you to eat and drink. This is where you receive his peace and confess Jesus as Lord.

As Saint Peter says: Though you have not seen him, you love him. And though you do not see him now, you believe in him and you are filled with a glorious and inexpressible joy as you await the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Pt 1:8-9) 

Because Hallelujah! He is risen! ... In Jesus’ name. Amen

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