Scars and the Spirit
Free Version, The Second Sunday of Easter- Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31
Artwork by: C.E.W. Green+ “The Creation of St. Thomas”
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Each of our readings this week challenge the church to live out our called as, in the words of Eugene Peterson, “a colony of heaven in a country of death.”1 This means that we hold on to resurrection and listen for the Spirit even when everything seems stacked against it.
In our Acts reading (Acts 5:27-32), the apostles have proclaimed resurrection in the midst of a violent world, whose leaders had just crucified the One who brought peace. In such a broken world, the disciples made the choice to obey God rather than the authorities of the day. Yet, the good news is so…well, good, that it offers forgiveness to even those who persecute the news bearers.
In our New Testament reading (Revelation 1:4-8), the suffering church is reminded that Rome, nor any other power, nor evil itself has the final word. The final word comes from the one who was, who is, and who is to come. He has accomplished something. Because he loves us, he has freed us from our sins by his blood. And he has transformed us to be a kingdom of priests, to serve God. He is the beginning and the end. Everything comes from God. He is the one “who was and is and is to come.” He is everything—backwards and forwards.
In our gospel reading (John 20:19-31), the disciples are huddled together in a locked room, afraid of the Jewish leaders. The resurrected Christ appears to them, revealing his scars and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them thus empowering them to be a people of forgiveness. We are told that Thomas was not there and needs to see for himself. Jesus never disparages Thomas. Jesus shows Thomas what he needs to see. He says, “you believe because you see.”
Jesus meets Thomas right where he finds himself, in the midst of his doubt. Yet, there will those who are not able to be witnesses in quite the same way as the disciples, who are blessed even in their faith which is without sight.
There will be times in all of our lives when we are unable to see: when we suffer at the hands of those who appear to be in control, when it seems like the world is out of our hands, when fear leads us to lock ourselves away. May we be blessed in our seeing and blessed in our not seeing. May we have the grace to know Him, in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.
Eugene Peterson, Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), Kindle Loc: 147.