We have just come through a week of sorrow and of joy. We may find ourselves wondering, was the crucifixion necessary? Could there not have been a different, a more humane way for us to receive God’s blessings and our salvation? Like the disciples hiding in fear behind closed doors, we too want to believe in the risen Christ but still we hesitate. Fear, doubt, and uncertainty in what the future holds for us is at times overwhelming.

We remember the stories, the parables, and the last supper and we search again the scripture for validation of our faith and how much it means to us. Today we read, that the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors. This time Thomas, the disciple who said he would not believe without proof, is there with the others. When Jesus invites Thomas to touch the wounds on his side and hands, Thomas has a complete conversion in his way of thinking. But the scripture offers more than comfort to just the disciples. The greeting “Peace be with you” is repeated two more times and I wonder what is it that Jesus is saying to them and to us.

As ‘People of the Book’, we know that we often have no control over the actions of world leaders, political situations or even the tragedies by which we find ourselves surrounded and so we seek comfort and healing in our faith. We find joy in our music, power in our prayers and strength in our community. Each Sunday we say those same words to one another that Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace be with you”. We may be saying good morning, how are you, it’s good to see you, I love you or perhaps something else that we are feeling at that moment in time. But on that day behind closed doors, I believe the greeting “Peace be with you” meant all that and more. I hear him saying, thank you for committing yourself to be my followers. The road ahead will be difficult at times but I will never forsake you. He is saying to them, I know you are afraid but have faith, I am with you always, you are not alone. Receive the Holy Spirit. Rest in me.

Without making too much of Thomas and his doubts I feel sure we all recognize that in each of us a bit of Thomas is lurking and waiting to be reassured. I suddenly find I want to know more about Thomas and realize that the bible tells me very little about the man other than that he was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to follow him. We are not told that Thomas was one of the inner circle of friends and in Matthew and in Luke he is not mentioned as an individual but only as one of a group. The need to know more about him leads to my search to other sources. I learned that Thomas was in Syria and that perhaps his missionary work took him as far as India. Not finding enough information, I am still looking.

I ask myself, was it was necessary for Jesus to demonstrate to his disciples what resurrection means in order to prepare them for what lay head? After the death and burial of his friend Lazarus, and before going to Bethany, Jesus spoke to his followers of his own coming death and of his going to prepare a place for them. At this time without knowing where Jesus was going or how to find the way Thomas said to his fellow disciples “Let us also go, that we may die with him”. For me this commitment of faith and readiness to serve overcomes the human failure and doubt that is so often attributed to Thomas.

And did Jesus come back again when all his disciples were together to remind them that his father loves him because he laid down his life – only to take it up again. Was Thomas needed to fulfill the scripture as It is written in (Luke 22:29) when Jesus said to his disciples that he would bestow on them a kingdom so that they would be able to eat and drink at his table in his kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Or might it have been the need for the restoration of unity in the Apostolic Circle that brought Jesus back to the locked room? We know that he prayed to his father that none of his disciples might be lost and here it is confirmed that apart from Judas they were all there. When he appears for the second time do they remember that he told them, ‘I am the resurrection and the life’. We remember his words “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed,” and we think about our own commitment. The faith to call on the Lord for strength and courage, the faith to live in our world without despair in spite of its many problems; all this is ours for the action and the asking.

Each of us has our own way to come into the presence of God and feel close to our Saviour. For me this comfort came one Christmas and many times afterwards in a poem given to me by our son when he was a young man and I was a harried mother in our home with three teens and a pre-teen. It is called “Footprints” by Margaret Fishback. Years later when our son was in Afghanistan as a reservist for nine months, I sent the poem back to him at Christmas in a care package with the hope that it would comfort him. My story has a happy ending. Our son returned home safely to his young family and to us. Thanks be to God

In closing I would like to read the poem to you.

FOOTPRINTS
One night I dreamed a dream
I was walking along the beach with my Lord
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand
One belonging to me and one to my Lord
When the last scene of my life shot before me
I looked back at the footprints in the sand
There was only one set of footprints
I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life
This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma
“Lord, you told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints.
I just don’t understand why when I needed You most, You leave me”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints
It was then that I CARRIED YOU.

“The man who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.” Rise up from your fears and go out into the sunlight to meet your Risen Lord. May the Peace of Christ be with you. Amen

(Preached on April 27th, 2025)