Second Sunday of Easter March 30, 2008
Scripture	John 20:19-31 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “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.” 26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 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.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Devotional	Doubting Thomas is how we classify the disciple Thomas most often. Doubt also takes on a negative characteristic. Can doubt be positive? Can doubt be an avenue to spiritual development? Can we identify with Thomas? Do we have doubts and question? How do we satisfy those doubts? Jesus knew exactly what Thomas needed. Jesus never offered one formula or way to experience God. He did not have one prescription for everyone he helped. Individual persons received individual care and instructions. Jesus did not heal each blind person in the exact same manner. Jesus has an individual plan for each of us. Not everyone experiences God in the exact manner so why would not Jesus provide individual spiritual care for each of us? “Blessed are those who have not seen yet have come to believe.” (John 20:29) Those of us who have not seen but believe have a special place. What is the basis of our belief? Is it wrong to doubt? Can doubt be understood as searching faith? Do we face doubt or attempt to hid our doubt? Frederick Buechner wrote that, in the search for God, “without room for doubt, there would be no room for me.” Two points stand out in this scripture reading. First, the disciples represent the faith community not apostolic leadership. Second, readers are to see their own experience reflected in this story. This group of disciples is no different from any group who meet together in search for God. Today people gather together in faith communities attempting to better understand their faith. The reader has available the experiences of knowing that Jesus is present today. Jesus offers today’s group the same peace. Faith in Christ is bigger that our fears and doubts.