My Lord and My God (John 20:24-29)

My Lord and My God (John 20:24-29)

1. Tertullian's Confession on Resurrection

Tertullian, one of the most famous church fathers, who had lived in the second and third century, speaks rhetorically of Jesus' death and resurrection in his book 『The Flesh of Christ』:

The Son of God was crucified.         I am not ashamed because it is shameful.

The Son of God died.                       It is credible because it is absurd.

He was buried and rose again.        It is certain, because it is impossible.

It is a shameful thing for the Son of God to be crucified, and it is an absurd thing for the Son of God to die.

It seems to be an impossible thing for any man to be resurrected. Yet, seeing the reckless boldness of Jesus' disciples witnessing his resurrection at the cost their lives, it is a sure thing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and he is risen indeed.

Jesus' opponents could not believe the rumor that Jesus was resurrected. So they claimed that his body was stolen by his disciples and that his disciples absurdly said that he was resurrected.

However, if you read the Gospels and the Book of Acts carefully, you will notice that Jesus' disciples had been changed dramatically after they saw the risen Jesus. While they were with Jesus during his public ministry, they followed him, sometimes they swore allegiance to him saying that they would die with the Lord, but they were lack of boldness. Thus, when Jesus was caught, nobody was with Jesus and all of them ran away to save their lives. They were coward indeed.

But, after they saw the risen Lord, they could boldly witness Jesus and could die for him, because they believed now that they could live forever with the risen Jesus in His Kingdom.

2. Doubtful Thomas

Verse 24 states that "Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came."

                                                                                                                                                

Thomas was very troubled with Jesus' shameful death on the cross. So, he probably went to a quiet place to meditate on and solve this mysterious and absurd problem, "Why should Jesus, the Messiah whom God sent, die in this shameful manner?"

When Thomas came back, the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."

What was his reaction?

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 it."

What he said and wanted was not the faith but the confirmation of the fact.

3. Jesus' Appearance to Thomas

A week later Jesus came in and stood among the disciples although all the doors were locked. At this time, Thomas was there with the other disciples.

Jesus said to his disciples: "Peace be with you!"

Jesus' peace is important for us believers as he said in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Jesus said to Thomas: "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Was Jesus angry with Thomas for his disbelief?

Did Jesus not love Thomas anymore because of his unbelief?

Not at all. Jesus was not angry with Thomas and still loved him very much.

Yet, Jesus wanted Thomas to believe him and his resurrection even by seeing his resurrected body and touching him.

Thomas probably was very surprised at this Jesus' saying.

'How could he know all about what I said to the other disciples? He must not be a human being but God Himself.'

And at the same time, Thomas was very touched by Jesus' personal loving-care for him who was such a doubtful person.

What else did Thomas need to claim that Jesus his Lord was resurrected?

4. My Lord and My God

Thomas said to Jesus: "My Lord and my God."

While Jesus was still in his public ministry, he once asked his disciples, "Who do you think I am?" At that time, Simon Peter answered with assurance: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"(Matt. 16:16).

But nobody had confessed yet that Jesus Christ was God Himself.

Now, Thomas confesses: "You are my Lord and my God."

Do you believe and confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and your God?

This morning I wish that Thomas' confession could be ours: "Jesus, you are my Lord and my God."

5. Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen And Yet Have Believed

Jesus loved Thomas very much as he also loved the other disciples very much.

That's why he came in here and stood among the disciples to show his resurrected body to his doubtful disciple Thomas.

We who live today cannot see Jesus who had lived 2,000 years, in the flesh.

Some Christians think that if they saw Jesus in the flesh their faith could grow a lot. But, we should pay more attention to what Jesus said to Thomas in v. 29:

"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

That seeing is believing is not our Christians' law of faith.

That believing is seeing is a law of faith as well as a law of life for Christians.

Although you cannot meet the risen Jesus Christ physically, you can still feel him spiritually and invite him into your heart. The risen Jesus is telling us in Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

If you really want to see him in Spirit and invite him into your heart, you only need to open the door of your heart.

Then, you will feel the Spirit of the risen Christ and will live with Him forever.

6. Thomas Thereafter

According to a tradition, Thomas who met the risen Jesus went to India to spread the good news, that is, Jesus came down on earth, lived among people, died for the people, and rose again on the third day.

He spread the good news to many people whom he met. However, at last, he was caught and killed by a spear, piercing into his body.

Yet, he was not afraid of his death at all.

He was not a selfish doubtful coward anymore. It's because he saw the risen Jesus Christ who loved him very much and was his Lord and his God.

Do you look to the risen Jesus this morning?

Are you ready to shout that "Jesus Christ is risen!"

Are you ready to confess that "Jesus Christ is my Lord and my God!"

Let us shout!

"Jesus Christ is risen!"

Let us confess!

"Jesus Christ is my Lord and my God!"  A-men.