Easter 2A (John 20:19-31)

Mary Magdalene’s message of the resurrection doesn’t seem to have much impact on the disciples. In the gospel lesson this morning, the disciples are still filled with fear that they shut themselves in. This fear is probably triggered by the local religious authorities. The disciples may have heard about some intel that they would be the next target to be crucified. Everyone in town knows they were friends with Jesus. So, their fear of the local authorities is appropriate to protect their lives. The message of fear is simple: “Lay low until people start forgetting about Jesus of Nazareth.” Accepting this message means denying the message of the resurrection which is, “I have seen the Lord.” Fear bears the fruit of doubt. 

The Second Sunday of Easter has a specific name, “Doubting Thomas Day” or “Thomas Sunday.” As its name suggests, it highlights Thomas who has doubts about the risen Christ. If Thomas had known about this day, he wouldn’t be too pleased. (The only person who is remembered more negatively than he is would be Pontius Pilate. He is mentioned every Sunday when we recite either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed!) In my empathetic defense of Thomas, however, Thomas is not the only one who presents doubt but all the disciples. Fear dominates them, and doubt or disbelief in Mary Magdalene’s message of the resurrection to put more accurately chips in. Thomas isn’t the only skeptic but all of them are. At least, Thomas doesn’t hide with them in the first place. He may be the only disciple who is not intimidated by the fear-mongering threat of the local religious authorities. Can we call him a courageous skeptic while the rest of the disciples are scared skeptics? 

This subject matter of the disciples’ doubt may hastily lead us to the simple teaching of “Do not doubt, but believe.” Is Jesus then pushing us to have blind faith? He sure sounds like it but his action says something else. It’s not Jesus who merely tells his disciples to believe. He needs to show up to help them believe. He encounters them to take them out of fear and breathes the peace of the resurrection instead. Even after he appears to the disciples, he has to come to them again, firstly because they are still paralyzed by the same fear that they hide behind the shut door and secondly because Thomas isn’t convinced yet. 

No matter how doubtful Thomas is, no matter how fearful the disciples are, Jesus shows up. He doesn’t give up on their unbelief. This is something we want to keep in mind. It doesn’t matter what state of your faith is at this moment. You might have stronger faith than ever in all the things and people you’re grateful for. Your trust in God might be in a state of deficit that there’s nothing left but doubt or despair or resentment. No matter where you are, how you feel, or how weak or strong your faith may be, the risen Christ is with you, never giving up on you. He continues to show up until you notice, and he appears to you in many different ways. 

The presence of the risen Christ is not so much about some ghostly figure suddenly talking to you. The love of the resurrection that goes beyond birth and death reaches you through people and other fellow creatures. A total stranger’s kind eyes that somehow see your struggle is that love. Your friend’s random phone call or text message is the presence of the resurrection. Your companion animal’s warmth is also that love. Flowers, plants, and trees dress in spring clothes are that presence. (Perhaps not the spring allergy!) Most importantly, the very breath you’re taking is the presence of the risen Christ whose breath he shares with the disciples in the gospel lesson. 

My friends, today is Doubting Thomas Sunday, and don’t forget that there is the sacred benefit of the doubt that draws the risen Christ to continue to show himself to us. Let’s give Jesus the benefit of the doubt by which we will experience the love of God. 

Alleluia, Lord is risen! Christ is risen indeed, alleluia!