This sermon explores the personal encounter of the disciples with the risen Christ, emphasizing His manifestation, their meeting, and the mystery of His miraculous appearance.
Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. What a joy it is to gather together in His name, to share in the warmth of fellowship and the nourishment of His Word. We are here not by accident, but by divine appointment, called together to seek His face, to know His heart, and to be transformed by His truth.
Today, we find ourselves standing on the threshold of a remarkable passage of Scripture, a passage that invites us into the very heart of the Easter story. It is a narrative that unfolds in the aftermath of the resurrection, a narrative that is not only historical but also deeply personal, not only miraculous but also profoundly meaningful. In the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 19 to 29, we read:
"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!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
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. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'
Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"
As we turn our attention to the text, we see Jesus appearing to His disciples. This is not a ghostly apparition or a figment of their imagination, but the risen Christ, in His glorified body, standing in their midst. His appearance is sudden and surprising, yet it is also comforting and reassuring. He comes to them in their moment of fear and uncertainty, bringing peace and instilling faith.
Jesus' manifestation to His disciples is more than just a physical appearance. It is a revelation of His identity, His authority, and His mission. He reveals Himself as the Messiah, the promised One, the Savior of the world. He speaks words of peace and empowerment, affirming His victory over sin and death, and commissioning them to continue His work.
The disciples' response to Jesus' manifestation is one of joy and belief. They are overjoyed to see their Lord, their Master, their Friend, alive and well. They believe in His resurrection, not because they have understood it intellectually, but because they have experienced it personally.
Yet, not all the disciples are present at this first appearance of Jesus. Thomas, one of the Twelve, is absent. When he hears the news of Jesus' resurrection, he is skeptical. He demands physical proof, tangible evidence. He wants to see the nail marks in Jesus' hands and put his hand into Jesus' side. His doubt is not a rejection of faith, but a struggle with faith. It is a desire for certainty, a longing for assurance.
A week later, Jesus appears again to His disciples, this time with Thomas present. He invites Thomas to touch His wounds, to see the proof that he demanded. He challenges Thomas to stop doubting and believe. Thomas' response is one of confession and worship.
In this encounter with Thomas, Jesus reveals a profound truth about faith and belief. He says, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' This statement is not a rebuke of Thomas, but a blessing for all future believers. It is a promise of grace for those who believe in Jesus, even without physical evidence, even without personal experience.
As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of the importance of faith in our Christian journey. Faith is not a blind leap into the dark, but a confident trust in the One who is the Light. It is not a denial of reality, but a deeper understanding of reality. We are also reminded of the power of the resurrection in our Christian life. The resurrection is not just a historical event, but a living reality. It is not just a fact to be believed, but a truth to be lived.
Finally, we are reminded of the mission of the church in our Christian service. The church is not just a gathering of believers, but a community of disciples. It is not just a place of worship, but a center of mission. It is not just a sanctuary for the saved, but a hospital for the hurting. It is not just a house of prayer, but a school of discipleship.
In the quietude of the locked room, the disciples found themselves in the presence of the Master ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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