Readings:
Sermon:
Today's passage is rich with jewels of truth that we can learn from , but the short phrase that stuck in my mind was found in verse 20.
"The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord."
On this particular Sunday we often focus on Thomas and his doubts and the other disciples get neglected. But here we read that they were over joyed; they were extremely happy; elated , delighted.
Lots of things make us overjoyed or more than happy. A new baby in the family, a wedding…..or perhaps positive test results after we have been ill. But how happy do you think YOU would be if someone dear to you had died and then come back to life? I’m sure you would be turning cartwheels with elation.
Now think of the disciples….they had followed Jesus for months…..they had seen miracles and healing and ,yes, they had witnessed Lazarus leaving the grave.They had come to the dawning realisation that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Lord, the Christ, the One long awaited who was to restore Israel’s fortunes. And then, suddenly, He is nailed to a cruel Roman cross and He is gone.
Of course He had been trying to tell them for weeks that this would happen.
It is quite difficult to imagine their feelings because WE have always known the end of the story but they did not, and they were devastated. All their hopes were gone-their wonder and amazement at Jesus’ words and works had seeped away.
What did the future hold?
And then ,at their lowest ebb, full of fear even for their own safety, Jesus appears among them bringing them peace, blessing, the power of the Holy Spirit and a job to do. No wonder they were overjoyed.
I’m quite sure Thomas was overjoyed too once he had got over his huff.
We too can be overjoyed that Jesus is alive. We read that He is seated at the Right hand of the Father and lives to intercede on our behalf. You can read about that in our other reading. 1 John chapter 1 vv 1-22.
We do not believe in a leader who is dead and gone. We do not have to go out and about to a particular place to search for Jesus. We do not put our hope in a set of rules and regulations. But we believe in a Saviour who is alive and who will one day come again.
As with the disciples, Jesus offers us peace and great joy. He also offers us the gift of the Holy Spirit. And He sends us out to tell others of the Gospel.
This shared joy and faith that the disciples enjoyed drew them closer together. They became a very powerful unit who “turned the world upside down.”
Read about that in the reading from Acts chapter 4.
Questions:
- What gives you most joy?
- Meditate on the fact that Jesus is alive. How might that make you happy?
- How can you/we share this joy with others?