St. John’s

Saint John’s Pulpit (April 19th - , Second Sunday of Easter)) – "When They Stayed at Home" John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."  Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"  Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.  But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Stay at Home Two Weeks

Do you feel this beautiful Spring? However, Spring is limited in our backyard, or neighborhood area. To believe it or not, we are getting tired hearing these words. Stay at Home, two weeks more or after two weeks…

When the Great Flood happened, did Noah and all animals in the ark have the same feeling as we feel now? Here is an interesting fact. Do you know that Jesus' disciples and Christians had to 'stay' at home for two weeks from the day of Jesus' Resurrection? This story is in the text today. John 20 presents how the disciples and Christians responded to Jesus' Resurrection. Unfortunately, it was not a festival! No shouting, cheers and dancing. But fear, nervous, and stress. Let me read John 20:19...

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, John 20:19a NRSV

We know that Jesus died on the Cross to save us. But this is for Christians group only. What about non-Christians? To those people, Jesus was crucified because he was a political criminal against Jewish Religious group and the Roman Empire too. So, after Jesus' Resurrection, lots of people were trying to find His dead body and Jesus' followers as well. Thus, the greatest day of celebrating Jesus' Resurrection turned out the most miserable day of hiding and locking all doors full of fear and anxiety. This was the scene for the day of Jesus' Resurrection. Yes, people were under a strong order of 'Stay at Home!'

Among those people full of fear and stress (like us), what did the Risen Lord do? The text today says Jesus came and stood among them. What was Jesus' first remark? Peace, yes it was Peace!

Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." John 20:19b NRSV

After 2,000 years, the Risen Lord wants to speak the same word. It is not fancy and mouth-filling. It is very simple and powerful – "Peace be with you!" Although we are full of stress and fear, please remember that the Risen Lord comes and stands among us saying "peace be with you." Although our doors are locked and closed, the Risen Lord comes to our places. After this peace greeting, what did Jesus do?

He Breathed

Please look at the verse 22 carefully.

When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22 NRSV

It seems to be strange. Why? For me Jesus could say "Receive the Holy Spirit" in words. But he did it with a special action, it was giving his breath! Oh, if I were Jesus, I will not do this. It has been at least 72 hours since I have not brushed my teeth! Bad breath! However, from this scene, we need to remember one similar action by God in the Book of Genesis.

then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NRSV

You know this verse very well. It shows the moment when God created the first human being. The first human being was the one who received God's breath. And in the text today, the Risen Lord gives His breath to people again. What does it mean? With Jesus' Resurrection, those who meet the Risen Lord should be re-created! Yes, Easter means God's new creation. Are we covered by dust of fear and dirt of anxiety? Please receive Jesus' breath and be born again to become His children.

One More Stay at Home

Finally, it is time to tell about the second story of the text. It happened one week after Jesus' Resurrection just like today. It seems they were still under Stay at Home guideline!

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." John 20:26 NRSV

Thomas was among them. But He couldn't believe the Risen Lord. He was skeptic how Jesus could be risen, so asked a proof of Jesus' Resurrection. Actually, John chapter 20 is the last chapter of the Gospel of John. John 21 has been regarded as an addendum of the Book of John. Simply specking, Chapter 21 was a bonus chapter. If so, isn't it interesting for the Gospel of John to highlight Thomas in its last chapter?

For all people who do not believe in Jesus and His Resurrection like Thomas, the Gospel of John gives a special message. The Risen Lord is real! He is glad to show his hands and side. It was not done by on-line, but by off-line! It is the reason why churches should exist in this world. Through Churches, people receive God's breath, feel Peace from God, and encourage people to find the Risen Lord. I pray that we can gather together, meet the Risen Lord and share this Good News one another again and soon until we hear that all people say "my Lord and my God" like Thomas! So, Easter is not my holiday, but a mission day for others. Peace be with you!