Good News Bad News

Good News / Bad News

John 20: 19 - 30

Intro: My first year in college was really difficult for me. I was living away from home with a group of strangers, eating in a dining hall, attending some of the largest classes I have ever seen. I didn’t know anyone, not even the teachers. Most of the time, I sat staring at my desk in fear that the professor would call on me and I would make a fool of myself. I always looked for the biggest person in the class and picked a seat behind them hoping to hide. I had not learned to not come to class if you hadn’t done the reading or assignment. On those days when I was least prepare, I sat in fear of being caught.

I This portion of John’s gospel can be divided into 2 sections: VSS 19 – 20 – the appearance of the risen Jesus and VSS. 21 – 23 – The commissioning of the disciples.

A VS. 19 – “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Sitting in fear! Suddenly, they are caught!

B The disciples (mathetai – µa??ta?) Does not apply to the 11 disciples. It is a word used to describe the entire “faith community.”

C Imagine how you would feel if you heard the voice of a deceased loved one speak your name. If it were me, I would probably have said, “Boo! Guess who!

II “Peace be with you! – Shalom Aleckem. May God give you every good thing.” This is a greeting Jesus offers to his friends and colleagues who were the very ones who had deserted him.

A Would this have been the way you would have greeted these guys? I think our response would probably have been a little more negative. Perhaps we would have said something like, “MAY YOU GET WHAT’S COMING TO YOU!”

B VS. 20 – “After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” If you were in that situation, what feeling would you have? Would you be overjoyed?

C The GK word translated as “overjoyed” is ?a??? / chairo and can be translated as calmly happy or joyful. I think the reaction of the disciples would have been mixed. Yes, they were glad and relieved to see Jesus, their friend alive; but, I think they might have been a little nervous because of their actions at the crucifixion.

III What we learn from this passage is the disciples are not completely left off the hook. VSS. 21 – 22 “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

A “To breathe” ?µF?s?? / emphysao Clearly evokes the description of God’s breathing the breath of life into the first human in Genesis 2: 7 and again in Ezekiel 37: 9. It is not a common use of the word.

B ALL the disciples of Jesus are presented with the gift of the Holy Spirit which empowers the Christian community to continue the work of Jesus.

C Later in this scripture lesson Thomas is also included when Jesus says in VS. 29 – “Then Jesus told him (Thomas), because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus invites Thomas and all of us to turn from being unbelieving to believing. Thomas is encouraged to put his trust in Jesus and so are we.

Concl: Many individuals today are like Thomas. They have difficulty believing this whole story. Have you heard the old expression, Seeing is believing?” Since the gospel of John is written from a theological point of view, there is a reason this story is included in his gospel. It is intended to show us that it is not physical sight and signs that are necessary for faith, but the truth they reveal. Jesus IS the Son of god. We can experience new life through His life and His work. You may not see Jesus standing among us; but that doesn’t mean He isn’t here! --- I can’t see your brain; but, I do believe that every one of you has one. The good news is that Jesus IS here and you DO have a brain. The bad news is that you may not use that good news or your brain by loving one another as Jesus loves to reveal that love to the world.