Easter 2A

April 7, 2002

John 20:19-31

I don't know about you, but it seems too soon for Easter to be over. I know the best suit may be hanging at the back of the closet again and you're a little more relaxed in your choice of outfit today. Shredded cellophane from the kids' baskets is probably in the trash. Well, most of it, except for the little strands that cling to almost every surface daring you to challenge their static claim to immortality! The chocolate candy, "Peeps" and jelly beans have long since vanished and the colorful, hard-boiled eggs have been digested, or duly refrigerated. But, Easter just can't be over yet!?!

And, so it isn't. Easter isn't over. This morning we greeted each other with the Easter proclamation: "Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!" We still have time. We have time to honor traditions, re-live the good times, bask in the glow of that resurrection sunrise.

Many of you celebrated Easter honoring age-old traditions, eating special foods, gathering with family and friends. Maybe, in your family, you have a sort of ritual. One person always leads the prayer, one is always the first to tell a joke, another one can be relied upon to spill a glass or dribble food onto a pretty Easter outfit. Customs and traditions hold an important place in our lives. They define who we are. People know who we are because of what we say and do.

Today we come together to celebrate with familiar customs. We have read God's holy scriptures. We will soon baptize Lucas John. And, we will come again to the Lord's table to be refreshed, healed of our brokenness, and given new life. People know WHOSE we are because of what we say and do.

But, in our Gospel reading for this morning, you sure couldn't tell whose the disciples were! What were they doing there, locked behind those doors? Didn't they believe what they'd been told? Why were they so afraid? From our perspective of 2000 years of history, we tend to be pretty critical of these disciples. After all, we might boast, if YOU had discovered earlier in that same day that your spiritual leader had come back to life, had risen from the dead, don't you think you'd be running up and down every street in town shouting about it at the tops of your lungs?

Not these guys. They were cowering, hiding out, afraid of their own shadows. They were petrified. What could make them so fearful?

We have to remember that they were living at a different time and in a different place. They lived in a military-occupied land. And, just three days ago their leader had been put to death by that military authority. Not only that, but we suspect, from our 2002 knowledge of the history of that region during the first century, the religious leaders in power at that time were probably corrupt. We think that they had relationships including persuasion and maybe even bribery with the political leaders. How else could they convince the political and military leaders to put to death someone who had committed no crimes against the state. Now, that leader's body was missing, even though soldiers had been guarding its burial place.

No wonder these close friends and followers of Jesus of Nazareth were in hiding. They could be next!

Last Sunday, at your Easter celebration, I'd guess someone had a camera, maybe even a video recorder. Those are pretty handy to have around when the whole family is gathered. First there's the formal picture with everyone behaving very properly and smiling so pretty for the camera. And then there's the one when everyone is pulling silly faces and putting "bunny ears" behind someone else's head. Maybe you took a picture of the table, with all the delicious food tempting you to sample something — maybe just ONE olive, or pickle, or deviled egg. Then there might have been snapshots of the kids searching for colored eggs, or Grandma with her special bread or pie or whatever Grandma's specialty is.

I wish I'd had my camera in that locked room that evening following Jesus' resurrection. I wish I had photographs of his followers. What would they have looked like?

Some would have looked afraid. We can understand that emotion. There have been times in our lives when we've been afraid.

Some would have looked exhausted. They probably hadn't slept well since this whole thing started nearly a week before. You and I know exhaustion.

At least ONE, probably looked ashamed. Peter had sworn an oath that he didn't know who Jesus was. He'd saved his own hide rather than stand up for what he'd said he believed. I think I may have been tempted to do that once or twice.

Some might have looked confused. They wondered what to believe. Could they trust the women who'd brought them the news? Could it possibly be true? We've probably asked the same questions ourselves; maybe we still do.

Some were just numb. Death will do that to you. We know that from our own lives. When someone we love has died, it takes a while for our brains to wrap around the reality of it all.

But, mainly I'd like to have a camera to take their pictures because I don't think they'd believe me when I would tell them they'd looked scared, exhausted, ashamed, confused or numb. Not after what was going to happen next!

Here they were, locked behind closed doors, hoping they were safe and secure, hidden from any intruders — when, suddenly, the risen Jesus was standing right there among them! (Now, I'd REALLY like to have a picture of THAT! — Sure would help answer some questions for me!) No doubt, Thomas would have liked to have seen a picture of that, too. He wasn't sure whether he should believe what his friends were telling him the next time they got together. Wouldn't it have been nice if they could have just whipped out the Polaroid and PROVEN Jesus was alive again?

Jesus went them one better. He came again the next week — like we come back to THIS place week after week — and Jesus himself stood there among them. Jesus offered Thomas his hands and his side to touch so Thomas would believe he had risen. And, after a time, the disciples offered US their own first-hand accounts, written so that WE may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing WE may have life in his name.

Taking our camera a few years into the future, we would capture a totally different shot of Peter, the one who had denied even KNOWING Jesus, confidently writing to Jesus' followers spread all around the known world. He implores them to rejoice even while they live in fearful times. He reminds them of their imperishable, undefiled and unfading inheritance as believers in Christ.

Like us, many of those believers had never seen Jesus, alive OR resurrected. But, because of the testimony of others who truly believed he was God's son, that he had lived, suffered, died and risen again, these believers around the world were strengthened in their trust. They gathered together to hear the good news, they ate together and were sent out to tell others what they had heard.

New traditions began. Old traditions were re-defined. For example, the ritual washing of certain holidays and holy days for faithful Jews took on a new meaning for Christians. Just as we're doing today, with the baptism of Lucas John, the early Christians brought themselves and their children to be washed in the cleansing waters. God's promises were recited and Jesus' own baptism was recalled.

Today is a joyous day. A brand new child of God is being publicly acknowledged within our midst. Not only are we all welcoming a new brother, but we're telling others what we believe, who we believe in, and why. People know who we are because of what we say and do. People know WHOSE we are because of what we say and do.

We Christians are people who, although we have not seen Christ, love him; and even though we do not see him now, we believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy; for we receive the outcome of our faith, the salvation of our souls.

This salvation is a free gift from God, the creator of us all. We have not earned it. Our photographs show us often to be afraid, exhausted, ashamed, confused or numb. We forget to tell others of our joy in being washed in the waters of baptism. We may even reject, for a time, the heritage that is ours in Christ Jesus. But, because God chooses to love us eternally, we rely on a promise made at our own baptisms: "Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever."

Through the waters of baptism, we are reborn children of the same heavenly father and fellow members of the body of Christ. St. Paul writes: "... all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. If we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:3b-5)

This is our hope! This is what gives us courage to face each day — even the days filled with fear, exhaustion, shame or confusion — because we know that our Redeemer lives. And, because he lives WE shall live too — each day God gives us here on Earth and into an eternity in our Creator's loving embrace. We have every confidence in this hope because Christ is Risen. He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, for all people according to their needs.

Gracious Creator, you kept your promise to Adam and Eve alive throughout generations of faithful people. The Chosen People of Israel taught your love to their children and their children's children. According to your timing, your promise of salvation was brought to fulfilment through the birth, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Keep us vigilant in sharing this good news with each one we meet, not only through our words but through our actions. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Acts 2:14a, 22-32)

God our refuge and our strength, we live in times of trouble and pain. Around the world your people need your help to overcome bitterness and hatred, mistrust and prejudice. We pray for an end to violence in all homes, towns and nations. We trust you to bring resolution to conflict so that the world might know of your peace. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (Psalm 16)

Blessed Lord God, You have provided us with innumerable riches, both here on earth and eternally with you. While we are here, make us aware of our bounty and generous in sharing it with all who are in need. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Healer of our every ill, you know what we need to be healthy and whole. When we doubt your power for our lives, show us your hands and wrap us in your embrace. We lift in prayer those who mourn... Transform them with the knowledge of your promise of resurrection. And for those who need your care for their physical, emotional or spiritual well being...

Are there others we should include in our prayers?

Give them new life in you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. (John 20:19-31)

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Comments to Linda at Linda_Kraft@Ecunet.org.)

Linda Kraft, Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Trumbull, CT
Secretary, Slovak Zion Synod, ELCA
Board Member: ELCA Division for Higher Education and Schools