April 16, 2023
Pastor John Hering
John 20:19-31
John 20:19-31
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But 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.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Many of you know the feeling when you buy a new car or a new home when you finally get the keys. The disciples were missing the key during that first Easter day. You can picture the women who had visited the Easter Morning Tomb and explaining to the disciples, “We actually did see angels. We know it sounds crazy, but they told us he’s alive.” Then Peter piped in, “That’s right! John and I raced to the tomb early this morning. It’s empty. And then this afternoon he appeared to me.” You can well imagine the other disciples struggling with these reports because Jesus was dead and buried. They were probably also working on a plan to avoid the enemies of Jesus and save their own lives.
It doesn’t sound like a bunch of disciples with peace, does it? They wanted proof. How would you feel if you were there, huddled in that house with Jesus’ first followers? With the threat of death spooking around, do you think you might have some fear, too? Today our message comes from John’s Gospel and I pray the Holy Spirit will help us all
See Jesus—the Key of Proof and Peace!
That removes fear
Fear is real. I visited the hospital this past week and noticed something I hadn’t seen in a while—many nurses wearing masks again! It is fear of being robbed that causes me to lock my car, my house and set the alarm, avoid dark alleys. Yes, I trust the law enforcement heroes will keep us safe, but they can’t get rid of the fear I have on the inside! Fear strikes when I realize I’ve said something stupid or harmful! How can I face God and God’s people? The guilt and consequences of lying, cheating, stealing, hurting others cause plenty of fear.
The disciples had their own fear. “19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders.” This was real fear in spite of the reports coming in from Mary and the other women, from Peter, and from the Emmaus disciples. On the outside they were worried that the religious leaders would get Roman storm-troopers to bash down the doors and do to them what they did to Jesus. On the inside they bore all kinds of guilt for not understanding, not believing, and for running away.
All of a sudden, “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” This peace is more than “Shhh! Let’s keep it quiet.” It’s the calming and soothing reassurance that, “Yes, you’ve sinned, but God no longer counts your sin against you.” Jesus didn’t need a key to get into that room. The Living Jesus is the key of Proof and Peace that Removes their Fear!
Jesus brings that same peace to you. Yes, we are bothered by the wrongs we’ve committed against others. Yes, we are afraid of the consequences, both of the people you’ve hurt and the eternal hell you deserve from God. We are just like those disciples filled with fear until the risen Jesus comes to us through his Word. He removed fear with the announcement, “I died on the cross to wash away all your sins. I paid the price so you won’t have to. Everything is going to be OK. You’re at peace with God.” Jesus doesn’t need a key to get into our hearts. Jesus is the key of Proof and Peace that Removes their Fear! And….
Removes Our Doubt
If I say the words, “Fake New,” what comes to mind for you? Maybe the person who made those words famous? Maybe you just chuckle because you recognize so many of the things we hear on TV, radio, or social media to be untrue. Or maybe after you hear the news you begin to doubt. The devil loves to use doubt to attack Christians. How do you know that the Creation Account is true? My teachers say it isn’t true! How do you know the Bible is really God’s Word? Who decided what should be in the Bible and what shouldn’t? How do you really know Jesus is God? Who says what you believe is true and what other people believe isn’t true? DOUBT is a powerful tool Satan loves to use. It rattles our hearts and minds and causes us to waver.
This must have been what Doubting Thomas felt like.
“24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But 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.”
John 20:24-25
There is one thing about doubt you can’t deny…..it causes uncertainty! If you never heard this account before, and if you were Jesus, how would you have handled this situation? “Thomas, how many times do I have to tell you? How many people need to tell? Are you that stubborn? Think about it! I raised Lazarus, walked on water, healed sick diseases! What’s the matter with you!?! Do you really want to live as an unbeliever?” But Jesus didn’t say that. He didn’t need to. Jesus knows just how to deal with doubt! “26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Jesus already knew how horrible Thomas felt when Jesus was standing right in front of him—shame, embarrassed, fear! Instead, Jesus gave Thomas exactly what he needed: “27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus removes his doubt with calm, careful, love. What do these marks mean? Thomas knew. Jesus died for me. Jesus loves me and always will. Jesus is the Key that created faith in Thomas’ heart that removed his Doubt with Proof and Peace as he confessed, “28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
St John was inspired to record this event for us as well. When Jesus looks into our hearts and lives, he sees us locked up and shaking with our doubts, and says, “29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the greatest and most highly attested miracle of all time. We did not see Jesus hanging on the cross. We did not see him alive on Easter morning. But Jesus the Key has come to us through his Word to Removed Our Doubt with Proof and Peace. How?
- He was seen not by a few but by thousands.
- And think of this, why would anyone, especially those in this room in Jerusalem, be willing to die for a hoax?
With your doubt removed, you can share Jesus who is the key to remove Doubt with Proof and Peace. Yes, you can talk with people about what all they did for Easter, what they ate, how many eggs they found and jelly beans they ate and that’s all fun. But what counts the most is what Thomas discovered! The Risen Lord Jesus Is the Key to Remove our FEAR, DOUBT, and one more thing:
Death makes the news all the time. Whether it’s a bank employee who shoots up his fellow workers, or tragic car crashes, and who can forget the days when the number of deaths by the Corona Virus were headline news every day?! New about death slaps us in the face and we are forced to think about our death. That’s what the disciples must have been thinking about in that upper room. They saw Jesus crucified and buried. When we hear of death it always seems so final. Until Jesus the Key Removes the Fear of Death with Proof and Peace. “19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Jesus’ resurrection changed it all. Jesus didn’t need a key to get into that room, and he didn’t need a key to get into their hearts. He is the key, removing the sting of death with Proof and Peace.
This is all the truth of God’s Word. It is also so important that we hear these words and share them with others. St John tells us why: “30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” We love to hear the Easter accounts over and over because they strengthen our faith and calm our fears. Because Jesus lives, we also know that we will live with him forever in heaven! Does that mean we will never have days of fear or doubt? No! But, today your faith has received what God has to offer! Hear and Believe what’s written that you may have eternal life!
Jesus doesn’t need a key to get into your home or apartment. He doesn’t need a key to get into our hearts. Praise God, Jesus is the key to remove fear, doubt and the sting of death forever. Then Jesus gave you another Easter gift. Jesus gave you the keys to go and help your friends, relatives, acquaintances and neighbors. (Tell the atheist story from Evan’s funeral). He came up and said, “I’m an atheist. And you believe all this fairy tale stuff. ” I asked him, “If you’re right and there is no God, what will happen to you when you die? He said, “Nothing.” Then I said, “If you’re right, then what will happen to me when I die?” He said, “Nothing.” Then I said, “If I’m right and there is a God who sent Jesus to save us and all who believe in him have eternal life, and I believe in him, then what will happen to me when I die?” He said, “That’s all fairy tale stuff!” I repeated, “Answer my question.” He wouldn’t. So, I said, “Then what will happen to you when you die if I’m right and Jesus is the Savior and you don’t believe in him?” He refused to answer. I said, “Then you are going to hell.” He was talking over me, “That’s all fairy tale stuff.” I said, “So as an atheist the best thing that can happen to you is nothing and the worst thing is hell. But, as a Christian the worst thing that can happen to me is nothing, and the best thing is heaven. I’ll take that bet!” Then I preached that funeral sermon with so much law and gospel and nobody knew how I was reaching out to him with the risen Savior’s gospel and praying he would listen and believe. I so wanted to be able to say, “You are forgiven because Jesus loves you so much! Listen! “22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Jesus is the Key to remove Fear, Doubt and the Eternal Power of Death for you, and he has given you the keys to use with those you love so that the Holy Spirit may unlock their hearts to the joy of Jesus Christ!
Dear Christian Friends, Jesus has unlocked our hearts with Forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and deliverance from the devil. Let’s be eager to take those same keys to unlock people from the gates of hell and open to them the gates of heaven. Let’s be eager to talk about Jesus who Removes Fear and Doubt for people locked up in their lives. Never forget. Jesus doesn’t need a key to get into hearts—He is the Key! Amen!
