Through The Doors
On Easter evening ten of the remaining eleven disciples were in a house in Jerusalem hiding with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish religious authorities (John 20:19ff). The risen Christ comes through the locked doors and says “Peace be with you”. As the story progresses he shows the disciples his wounded side and hands to prove he is alive. Jesus says, “As the father has sent me, so I send you”. Then he breathes on them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Thomas, the disciple missing on Easter evening is back with the the others. He is told that the disciples have seen the Lord, and he does not believe. Now he, and anybody that doubts something, or is skeptical, is called a “Doubting Thomas”. That is quite unfair because of what happens next. One week later Thomas is with the disciples and, once again, “though the doors were shut”, Jesus comes and stands among them. He shows Thomas his hands and side. Now, far from doubting, Thomas makes the first full confession of faith saying, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who have not seen and yet believe. The scene closes there.
In seminary I was taught not to allegorize scripture in preaching and teaching, though that is a time honored ancient way of interpreting the holy pages. John, however, is an exception. He often gives obvious allegory in his Gospel. An example is when Nicodemus comes to Jesus “by night”. Jesus tells him he must be born again. Nicodemus does come in the literal night, but he is also in spiritual darkness. Jesus, the light of the world illumines Nicodemus. I believe the same can be said for the doors in the Easter story above. The disciples' very realistic sense of fear of the authorities causes them to literally lock the doors to protect themselves. Thomas closes his heart to the possibilities the message. The doors of his heart are as locked as the doors to the room. The risen Jesus comes right through the locked doors of our hearts as he did in the doors of the room.
Sometimes our hearts are closed to God by fear, and sometimes to each other. Note that it is in the community of believers that the Disciples experience the risen Jesus. Thomas is away from the “church” and his doubt remains until he is with the people again. The risen Jesus walks through our fears that lock us in and bids our fears cease. He does this most often when we are with other Christians. Alone, we face doubts; together we can meet the risen Jesus even if we have not literally “seen the Lord”. We receive a commission from Jesus to proclaim his love--- across all doors we erect of race, religion, social status or nation. Christ goes through all doors The church is also called to do so in his power. Together, as a community, we proclaim the resurrection to the world. Christ’s love moves us out of fear to faith and causes us to love those the world finds hard to love.
What fears hold you back? What fears hold our church back? What fears hold the universal Church back? Christ transcends them and causes us to as well. Let us draw strength from being together in worship and service in the community of the resurrection.
In Peace and Risen Life,
Jim
On Easter evening ten of the remaining eleven disciples were in a house in Jerusalem hiding with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish religious authorities (John 20:19ff). The risen Christ comes through the locked doors and says “Peace be with you”. As the story progresses he shows the disciples his wounded side and hands to prove he is alive. Jesus says, “As the father has sent me, so I send you”. Then he breathes on them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Thomas, the disciple missing on Easter evening is back with the the others. He is told that the disciples have seen the Lord, and he does not believe. Now he, and anybody that doubts something, or is skeptical, is called a “Doubting Thomas”. That is quite unfair because of what happens next. One week later Thomas is with the disciples and, once again, “though the doors were shut”, Jesus comes and stands among them. He shows Thomas his hands and side. Now, far from doubting, Thomas makes the first full confession of faith saying, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who have not seen and yet believe. The scene closes there.
In seminary I was taught not to allegorize scripture in preaching and teaching, though that is a time honored ancient way of interpreting the holy pages. John, however, is an exception. He often gives obvious allegory in his Gospel. An example is when Nicodemus comes to Jesus “by night”. Jesus tells him he must be born again. Nicodemus does come in the literal night, but he is also in spiritual darkness. Jesus, the light of the world illumines Nicodemus. I believe the same can be said for the doors in the Easter story above. The disciples' very realistic sense of fear of the authorities causes them to literally lock the doors to protect themselves. Thomas closes his heart to the possibilities the message. The doors of his heart are as locked as the doors to the room. The risen Jesus comes right through the locked doors of our hearts as he did in the doors of the room.
Sometimes our hearts are closed to God by fear, and sometimes to each other. Note that it is in the community of believers that the Disciples experience the risen Jesus. Thomas is away from the “church” and his doubt remains until he is with the people again. The risen Jesus walks through our fears that lock us in and bids our fears cease. He does this most often when we are with other Christians. Alone, we face doubts; together we can meet the risen Jesus even if we have not literally “seen the Lord”. We receive a commission from Jesus to proclaim his love--- across all doors we erect of race, religion, social status or nation. Christ goes through all doors The church is also called to do so in his power. Together, as a community, we proclaim the resurrection to the world. Christ’s love moves us out of fear to faith and causes us to love those the world finds hard to love.
What fears hold you back? What fears hold our church back? What fears hold the universal Church back? Christ transcends them and causes us to as well. Let us draw strength from being together in worship and service in the community of the resurrection.
In Peace and Risen Life,
Jim
posted by Theoblogger at
8:48 PM
