Second Sunday of Easter
April 19, 2020
John 20:19-31
“The doors were locked”.
That phrase appears twice in this morning’s gospel but in starkly different contexts.
In the first instance the doors were locked “for fear of the Jews” i.e. the disciples were in hiding, afraid that the Jewish religious leaders who had Jesus sent to death on the cross, would next be looking for his followers to eliminate them.
It would seem Mary’s good news of the empty tomb and their risen Lord wasn’t enough to overcome the disciples’ fear. Not that it couldn’t have banished their fear, but it didn’t. Maybe everything they had seen and experienced over the past couple of days was too much for them. After all, one of their members turned out to be a traitor, the religious leaders were able to have their master arrested, tried and convinced the Roman governor to send him to the cross. If the authorities could manage that with Jesus (who by virtue of his death on the cross would have been viewed by the majority of the public with shame and ridicule), what was there to prevent the disciples from suffering a similar fate?
It’s important to recognize the disciples are in hiding behind locked doors on the same evening of the day when the risen Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, and told her to tell his brothers, the disciples, of his resurrection.
Maybe the fear overwhelmed them and drove them into hiding. Maybe they held on tightly to the fear because, as much as it was torturing them, it was the one thing that helped them make sense of their situation.
Regardless of the reason, it was fear that had them locked up that night, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually.
Into this darkness and despair Jesus comes. Nothing can keep him out—not locked doors, nor desolation or fear. And he doesn’t stand far off from them but among them, with them, in the middle of everything they are experiencing.
His first words, are not about himself (e.g. I’m back or I’m risen), nor are they words of rebuke in judgement for the disciples less than stellar behavior over the last couple of days. Instead, Jesus’ first words are to and for the disciples. “Peace be with you”.
Now to be fair, one could take this phrase to be just a common greeting (which it was and still is in the Middle East), or kind wish and sentiment to dear friends who are clearly troubled.
But from the lips of Jesus this is more than a greeting, it’s a declaration, an active, creative word reminiscent of God speaking creation into existence in Genesis. Jesus, who is the peace of God embodied, is with them. And by virtue of his presence there is no place left for the fear, uncertainty and confusion which just moments before had filled not just the room, but the disciples’ hearts and minds.
He shows the disciples his hands and side—not so much for proof but for assurance, that it truly is him.
Jesus says again to the disciples “Peace be with you”. The first time he said it was to free them, this time it is to empower them to free others. “As the Father sent me, I am sending you”. The Father sent the Son in love, care, acceptance and trust. In the same way Jesus is sending the disciples, because as the Father loved him, he loves them.
Moments ago, they could go nowhere and do nothing, locked behind doors in fear. Yet regardless of what they have done in the past, or what they are currently doing Jesus has freed them and with his presence and peace is sending them with his authority to do his work.
He breaths on them the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, that they might receive him. This same Spirit who Jesus spoke of earlier when he said “the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (14.26) and “When the Spirit of truth comes he will guide you into all truth” (16.13).
So just as Jesus proclaimed to them the good news of salvation by his presence and freed them, so too they will proclaim their Lord, holding out that same freedom and peace for those who would hear and receive.
Now Thomas, who wasn’t with the disciples at this appearance of Jesus doubted their report that they had seen the Lord.
Note well the reaction of the others—they don’t demand Thomas believes, nor do they throw him out of their fellowship because of his questions. Because they have the peace of Christ they are able to love Thomas, and leave him to be with his questions—Thomas’ doubt can’t diminish their faith.
A week later, it says again the doors were locked—but note, there is no mention of fear.
This time the locked doors highlight the reality that such impediments can’t keep out the risen Christ. He comes to be with, not the disciples, but his disciples—their fellowship confirmed.
Again, he stands among them and blesses them with peace, his presence.
Knowing Thomas’ questions Jesus tells Thomas, to put his finger here and see his hands, to reach out and put his hand in his side. This isn’t condemnation or chastisement. If you recall, back in John 11 when the other disciples were trying to discourage Jesus from going to see Lazarus for fear of the Jews who tried to stone him last time he was near Jerusalem it was Thomas who said “let us also go that we may die with him”.
Rather Jesus wants for Thomas the same peace and freedom, the others have received. And Thomas, seeing it truly is Jesus makes one of the most profound confessions of faith in the gospels “my Lord and my God”.
Jesus notes that Thomas has believed because he saw, and announces a blessing on those who have not seen the risen Lord yet believe.
In the concluding verses of this passage John summarizes the purpose of this text and his entire Gospel, that everything recorded has been so, that the reader/hearer might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing they might have life in his name.
That same life the disciples received that first time he appeared to them when they were locked in by fear.
The life Thomas received when Jesus appeared again behind doors that were locked, but not locked in fear.
That same life and peace we were given when we were baptized and that our Lord offers to us continually.
As we are all behind doors of our respective houses today I want to ask a question for you to consider. Are you behind locked doors in fear—fear of the covid virus, fear of death, fear of isolation, fear of financial stresses, fear for the welfare of loved ones who can’t be with you etc.
Or are you behind locked doors in the peace of Christ—peace that you are Christ’s, peace that staying home is the best way at this time to keep yourself and others in good health, peace that as much as you might like some company (or new company) that you are never alone, peace that it is God who ultimately provides what we need, peace knowing that as much as you love your friends and family God loves them more.
Jesus came that we might have his life, his presence, his peace. He gave it to us, so we might be sent out for the sake of others. Granted, self-isolation and social distancing are practices that don’t readily lend themselves to our ideas of being sent, but if Jesus has commissioned us, he will give us opportunity to do as he asked—just maybe not in ways we’d expect.
So, share and receive the peace of Christ with those in your house. In the peace of Christ pick up the phone and call family and friends. In the peace of Christ send an e-mail or if you are able, a card or letter via Canada Post to remind someone they are being thought of. In the peace of Christ when you are out running errands or getting groceries, smile, act and speak generously and kindly no matter what sort of fear or anger you might encounter. In the peace of Christ remember others to the Lord in prayer that they might know his peace and presence as well.
We can be locked up in fear, or be locked in with the peace and presence of Christ which passes all understanding and guards our hearts and minds.
Let me conclude with the verses from 1 John 4 “There is no fear in love, because perfect love drives out fear. …we love because he first loved us.”
We are loved, not from afar by one who keeps his distance but Jesus who for our sake and our salvation became human died and rose again, and who came among is disciples and continues to come among us. Jesus, who comes to us to give us his presence and peace—that we may have life in him.