The Wonder is just the beginning

John 20:19-31 

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!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.​21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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.”26 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!” 27 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.”28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Last Sunday, we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus with joy and proclamation. "He is risen! He is risen indeed!" But today, we must remember. The wonder of Easter is not the conclusion-it is the commencement of a transformative journey. The resurrection is not merely a historical event to commemorate annually; it is a living reality that continually shapes our faith, our mission, and our daily lives.

"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!" (John 20:19). The disciples were engulfed in fear, uncertainty, and despair. They had heard of the empty tomb, yet their hearts were still locked in doubt in this moment of turmoil. Jesus appears and offers them peace, not as the world gives, but a profound shalom that encompasses wholeness, restoration, and harmony. As Charles White from Susanville United Methodist Church reflects: "When Jesus says, 'Shalom be with you,' He's saying, 'May every aspect of the Kingdom of God in its fullness be with you so that, instead of worrying, you can focus on experiencing and sharing God's love." This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of God's complete restoration in our lives.

Thomas, absent during Jesus' initial appearance, expresses his skepticism: "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." (John 20.25). Thomas's doubt is not a sign of weakness but a part of his journey toward faith. He seeks tangible proof, a personal encounter with the risen Christ. A week later, Jesus meets Thomas in his doubt, inviting him to touch His wounds. Thomas responds with a profound confession: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). This moment illustrates that faith often involves wrestling with doubt, and Jesus meets us in our uncertainties, guiding us toward deeper belief.

As highlighted in an Our Daily Bread devotional: These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20.31) Commissioned to Continue the Mission, Jesus not only offers peace but also commissions His disciples: "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20.21)

He breathes on them, saying "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). This act signifies the impartation of the Holy Spirit, empowering them to continue Jesus' mission of reconciliation and love. In Methodist tradition, this moment reflects the call to holiness and service, living out our faith through acts of compassion, justice, and evangelism. As noted in a reflection from the Center for Excellence in Preaching. "The Resurrection isn't just our ticket to heaven: it's our calling to an entirely new life while on earth."

Living the Resurrection Today. The resurrection is not confined to a past event; it is a present reality that transforms our lives.

• Peace: In our anxieties and fears, Jesus offers us His peace.
• Faith in our doubts. He invites us to believe.
• Mission: In our daily lives, He sends us to be His witnesses.

As we embrace the resurrection, we are called to embody its power in our relationships, communities, and the world. The wonder of Easter is just the beginning. As we move forward, let us:

• Embrace the peace that Jesus offers.
• Acknowledge our doubts, allowing them to lead us to deeper faith
• Accept the commission to live out the resurrection in our daily lives.

Let us be a community that reflects the love, grace, and power of the risen Christ