A sermon given by the Rev. Dr. Wayne Menking, Director of the LSPS Program, on April 27, 2006, in Christ Chapel

John 20:19-31

Throughout this fourth gospel, we have heard John lift up various themes, all connected and related: themes such as the Word made flesh dwelling among us, born again of the spirit, truth, light, darkness, belief, doubt. As the writer brings the gospel to its conclusion, all of these themes come together yet again -- embodied in the physical appearance of the Risen Lord and his interaction with the disciples gathered in hiding.

These accounts of Jesus' appearances revolve around two important actions. The first occurs when Jesus appears to the disciples without Thomas. He greets them, reveals his physical presence and then breathes into them the Sprit of Life: Receive the Holy Spirit. Just as the Prologue of the Gospel takes us back to the Creation Story -- In the beginning was the word -- so now these words do the same thing. They are the same words that describe the creation event. Indeed in this resurrection, a new humanity, a new creation is brought forth. It is a reality that is embodied in the Risen Lord. And then the second appearance: Jesus appears again, this time with Thomas present. Jesus invites him to touch, or to put it another way, Jesus says to Thomas as he says to all of us -- Engage the reality of the resurrection! And here are the important words: Do not doubt, but believe!

With this conclusion, the Gospel writer uses the appearances and the words of Jesus to bring us into direct contact with the reality of the resurrection, indeed to say to us: The new and resurrected humanity is real, the new creation is brought forth -- do not doubt, but believe!

And with that conclusion, the existential dilemma that every believer has faced from the time of these appearances onward is made crystal clear -- the struggle between belief and doubt; the struggle to believe the reality of the new humanity and new creation versus doubting it.

I have always suspected that Luther's genius was not in his scholarly ability, but in the fact that as a pastor he so keenly understood the depth and nature of this struggle in the human spirit. One only need to recall the story of Luther at his desk, having what many would consider a psychotic conversation with the devil as he throws the ink well at the devil with the words, "Yes but I'm baptized." Psychotic? Perhaps, but probably not. What he knew deep inside his own spirit were all of the voices that told him how utterly despicable he was, voices that reminded him of the extent to which he had fallen short, missed the mark, voices that took him deeper into his shame. Indeed they were voices that led him into utter despair.

My guess is that we have a kindred spirit with Luther, for all of us have those same voices, and all of us know what it's like when those voices have power over our life. Indeed, they take life out of us. They shape how we think of ourselves, how we think of others and the world around us. They rob us of joy, imagination, spirit. In the language of the Psalmist, they take us down to the pit, the place of Sheol where God seems most absent.

It is no surprise that the Gospel of John was one of Luther's favorites, and I suspect this conclusion to the Gospel is one of the reasons: the new life and resurrected humanity is every bit as real as those voices that seek to undo us. This resurrected humanity is not a fantasy that sits out there for others. It is real and it is for you and for me! This new reality is so certain that it is to be believed -- not as a theoretical concept, but as something so real and certain that it can be trusted -- that is to say, one can stake one's life on it! And isn't this what Jesus means when he says, "Believe what you see! Don't doubt!" What you see and experience here is so real you can stake your life on it!

It is the power of belief and faith that keeps us from succumbing to the powers that seek to undo life - whether those powers are psychological, emotional, political or economic. And it isn't a question of how much faith! The conclusion of the gospel does not talk about how much faith we are supposed to have in the face of doubt. It says only believe -- however feebly!

Consider the power that belief in this resurrected humanity -- this new creation -- has had throughout history. To be sure it has not eradicated evil nor taken away the struggle with evil in whatever form it has come. But belief in this resurrected humanity, in this new creation has empowered people to stand up and not let evil have the final say! Consider the early disciples and early community as they withstood the overpowering threats of the empire; consider the Reformers; consider Martin Luther King, Jr….consider the many witnesses in so many places.

The voices and powers that seek to undo life are very real…in all aspects of our life. Yet what we have in this gospel today is good news indeed. A new reality exists! A new creation has been brought forth. It is real, so real it can be touched and seen in the appearance of the Risen One. It is a reality that is for you and for me, a reality that is there precisely at the place that where we hear the voices that seek to undo us! Indeed….believe what you see and hear! Do not doubt!