Sermon 27th April 2025 – 2nd Sunday after Easter Text: John 20:19-29 – In all our doubts

 Sermon 27th April 2025 – 2nd Sunday after Easter

Text: John 20:19-29 – In all our doubts

Today we delve into the story of one of the most well-known figures among the disciples—Thomas, often referred to as "Doubting Thomas."  This Gospel reading comes up every first Sunday after Easter and I wonder if some Pastors avoid using it because we heard it all before. Actually I usually take the Sunday after Easter off so I have rarely preached on it. However, this story never gets old because it challenges the heart of everyone’s faith – doubt. In fact I am always surprised when I hear the end of Matthew’s gospel. We know that one very well too – the Great Commission and call to baptise. Go to all nations baptising. However, let’s go back a couple of verses and see what Matthew says to introduce the section we use for The Ascension of Jesus to Heaven. 

Matthew says - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Some doubted! We’re not talking about some of the people in the crowd like Palm Sunday – No! It was some of the Eleven – the ones that had been with Jesus for the past 3 years who had been at his death and resurrection. Who saw Jesus walk through the locked doors and breath the Holy Spirit on them.

If you’ve ever had any doubts in your Christian faith – you’re in good company. Though these stories are marked by doubt they offer us profound insights about faith, belief, and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Thomas is struggling with an experience that is experienced by many of us.  After the resurrection of Jesus, he is confronted with the astonishing news brought by his fellow disciples—that Christ had risen from the dead. 

They saw him – he spoke to them – he breathed on them with the Holy Spirit. But Thomas was not there when it happened, Thomas responds with doubt, saying, "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." Let us understand what doubt is. Doubt is a part of the Christian experience. It is not unbelief but our human desire for proof; For understanding in a world particularly today where truth is flexible and difficult to ascertain.  What a person believes to be true today can’t be challenged.

Thomas wasn’t a bad disciple; he was a realist. He’s just like you and me. He needed tangible evidence for something as extraordinary as the resurrection.  In a world filled with uncertainty, who among us has not felt doubt creep into our hearts—and it can be doubt about many things including our faith? Thomas' doubt didn’t lead him to abandoning his faith in Jesus but rather it led him into dialogue—not just with the other apostles but ultimately with Jesus himself. 

When we doubt, we should not shy away from those feelings. Instead, we should bring them to God, ask our questions, and seek understanding. And as Thomas did – go to the source. When you have doubts in your faith – go to the source. Pull out your Bible even if you have to google where to find a particular topic. Pray. Come to Worship and hear God’s word – hear his word of forgiveness if that’s where your doubt is – come to Holy Communion and receive the healing gift of Jesus’ body and blood.

Faith is not the absence of doubt even though Satan can use doubts – did God really say; faith gives us the courage to confront our doubts. 

What is extraordinary about this story is how Jesus responds to Thomas. Eight days later, Jesus appears again to the disciples, this time specifically addressing Thomas’s doubts.  "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 

Jesus meets Thomas exactly where he is, offering the evidence he needs, showing that even in his doubt, Thomas is valued. Unlike Jesus’ response in other situations – Oh you of little faith – why did you doubt – when Peter began to sink in the water. Jesus does not scold Thomas for his lack of faith; rather, He extends grace. This moment teaches us that grace does not demand perfection; it welcomes our imperfections. We are reminded that it’s okay to come to Jesus with our uncertainties. Jesus invites our doubts and offers His presence and peace in return.

But this is where it becomes both interesting and also very relevant to us today. After Thomas believes, Jesus says, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  Here, Jesus points us to a deeper faith—one that goes beyond physical evidence to a relationship built on trust. We are called to believe in the unseen, to embrace faith that transcends our doubts.

Our doubts can be transformed into testimonies.  Just as Thomas went on to proclaim the truth of the resurrection – my Lord and my God, so too our struggles with faith can equip us to share the hope we find in Christ with others who are going through similar struggles. 

When we allow Jesus to work in our doubts, we become messengers of His love and grace. So let us embrace our doubts and  uncertainties. But let us bring them to Jesus, knowing He meets us right where we are. Like Thomas, we may find that our moments of doubt lead to deeper faith and a richer understanding of who Christ is. 

Doubt is not the enemy of faith; rather, it's an invitation into a deeper relationship with our Savior. Let us leave here today, not as doubters, but as believers who have encountered the risen and living Christ.