Sermon's as they are written verse given

I am always amazed that after reading, praying and pondering the lessons for a specific Sunday that I can sit down and either write a sermon or at least have bullet points for that week's sermon.  Sometimes, when I actually write a manuscript for the sermon, what comes out of my mouth during the sermon is not entirely the same.  In fact there are weeks when it is completely different!  This week, I wrote a manuscript and hoped to be close to it when I delivered it.  I'm not sure I really did that though.  For fun, I have attached a link to the video of the sermon and the script is below.

Video of my sermon from Easter 2

Here is the script:

This morning we hear the story of Jesus’ first and second appearance to the disciples after his resurrection.  In His first appearance, Jesus arrives to find his disciples locked away, fearful and not knowing what to do next.  Their leader was no longer present and they were unsure of what the future held for them.  Imagine their surprise and shock when Jesus shows up amongst them?  They were realists, other than a couple of miracles they had seen previously, they believed and knew that those that died stayed dead.  It was not a fact that was lost on them.  Jesus had died and he wasn’t coming back or so they thought until Jesus showed up in the middle of them.

I imagine those first disciples must have been even more freaked out all of a sudden seeing Jesus with them.  That fact wasn’t lost on Jesus either, because he immediately say, Peace be with you.  Jesus knew that at that very moment what the disciples needed most was a calming presence.  Like most of us, when we are startled by something, our hearts and minds race, we need someone to calm us down and bring us peace and Jesus does just that.

Unfortunately, one of the disciples was not with them and was unable to experience the risen Christ.  Thomas, someone that I feel has been given the short end of the stick by forever known as Doubting Thomas, hears from the disciples and doesn’t believe.  Who can blame him?  Thomas wasn’t really a doubter as must as he was a realist.  How many times have we heard something from friends and not believed what they say.  Luckily, we can go to a classic children’s movie for help with this one.  Just like the conductor says to Hero Boy in the polar express,  “Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we cannot see.”  Jesus appearance to the disciples was very real and very true.  It isn’t until Jesus appears again when Thomas is present that Thomas actually believes the disciples. 

It is important for us to take note in both of Jesus post resurrection appearances.  Never once does Jesus shame, ridicule or make fun of the disciples he appears to.  Rather Jesus meets them where they are.  Jesus understands the situation and offers peace and forgiveness to them.  But he doesn’t stop there.  After offering them peace and forgiveness, Jesus tells them to go out into the world and continue doing the same thing to others. 

Jesus isn’t telling just His disciples to do that, he is tell YOU!  He is telling us that we are called to go into the world and offer peace and forgiveness.  Before you start to ask how and why can I do that, remember that Jesus is not sending us into the world by ourselves.  Jesus is sending the Holy Spirit to join us.  It is with the power of the Spirit that we are able to do the work we are called to do. 

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  We have been given the first step by being told of the Risen Christ.  Rather than hiding ourselves in a locked room in fear, we must step out into the world in faith believing in a Risen Christ we cannot physically see, offering the peace of the Risen Christ, loving ourselves and one another, forgiving as we have been forgiven and sharing the Good News with everyone.   Now is the time, now is the place,  Go, and make those that have not seen believe!