Listen to the gospel reading and the sermon here.
Luke 24:36b-48
Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence. 44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.
There are various stories across all four gospel accounts of Jesus appearing to the disciples after the resurrection. In the season of Easter we glimpse several of those stories. Last week was John’s version of the disciples behind closed doors and Jesus appearing to them and Thomas. At another time we’ll hear the story of Jesus meeting disciples on the road to Emmaus. But today’s story is one of my favorites.
In Luke’s story this morning, the disciples are gathered together following Jesus’ death and they’re having a discussion to figure out what happened and what comes next. There are some reports circulating that Jesus is actually alive and the tomb is empty. And I imagine that would be hard news for some folks to believe since they just watched him die. Either way they’re deliberating the “now what” question of faith and all of a sudden Jesus shows up.
Jesus appears in the room without warning or announcement. He shows up unexpectedly, offers proof that he’s not a ghost by showing them his hands and feet and then he chows down on some broiled fish like it’s no big deal. Every time I read this text I picture a Jesus leaning against the wall in the back of the room as the disciples frantically debate what’s next. Then someone notices him. He steps forward and says “What’s up friends...got any food.” Now I know that society today has heavily influenced my view of Jesus in this scene, but there is this strange non-chalantness about the interaction. And maybe it’s nota big deal for Jesus, after all he talked about God’s plan long before it happened.
But for the disciples it really is a bit of a whiplash. One minute they’re frantically discussing their fate, and the next their once dead Rabii appears in the room and say “peace be with you.” Then Jesus says, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Almost as thought Jesus is offended that they weren’t just waiting on baited breath for him to show up. It seems a bit unfair to us that Jesus would expect the disciples to not be frightened, and having doubts about what they’re seeing. But I suppose in Jesus’ mind there is no reason for them to be startled or afraid because he clearly told them multiple times what was going to happen.
But there he is, arms and feet extended, chomping on some broiled fish. And after a moment he opens their minds to understand the scripture. In a single moment, the depth of God’s salvific plan for the world through Jesus Christ is made clear to them. They Jesus enlightens them and sends them off.
It’s a rather bizarre interaction, and rightfully so, but the disciples don’t really know how to react. And then scripture offers this beautiful and freeing reminder: Scripture says, “Even while in their joy the disciple were disbelieving and still wondering. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering.
There is no shortage of Easter season themes to preach on. The climax of Easter has us proclaiming that Christ is risen and now we too have the privilege and responsibility of telling anyone and everyone. And I have certainly dedicated a lot of sermon time this Easter season to the task of going and telling.
There is an unintentional preconception that in order to go and tell we must have perfect faith ourselves. I think that we often shy away from speaking out about our faith because we don’t feel as though we haven’t mastered faith. It’s scary to talk about Jesus and the joy of the resurrection because someone we meet might have doubts or questions that force us to question or doubt our own faith. We’re not always comfortably balancing proclamation of faith with faithful questioning.
Today’s encounter with Jesus offers a reassurance of faith that we don’t often focus on during Easter. Today we hear about the disciples gathered behind closed doors for various reasons, and as they least expect it, Jesus appears before them offering peace and wholeness. Make no mistake; the disciples are ecstatic to see Jesus. Maybe a bit puzzled, but they’re over joyed.
Then text says, “Even while in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering.”Jesus’ closest followers, his most dedicated witnesses wrestle the balance of believing and doubting. Of faithful joy yet still wondering.
If we’re honest with ourselves, I don’t suspect that there are many if any among us who just simply and wholly believe. I doubt there are many who believe in Jesus without question, who confess faith without doubt or fear, and celebrate Easter in pure joy because it all makes perfect sense to them.
I fear that we too often ride one extreme or the other. Maybe we’re on fire for the Spirit and God’s Love feels more present and tangible than we can express. And in those moments it feels unfaithful to have doubts and fears.
Or maybe you’re feeling abandoned and lonely. God’s Love seems absent incredibly undesirable. And in those moments faith seems trivial and ridiculous because there are so many questions I have for God. There are too many doubts, fears, anxieties for me to ever experience faith and joyful.
We tend to hold these extremes in tension and the messiness of life sends us back and forth on an exhausting journey of faith.
The past few weeks I’ve been humbled by several conversations of faith. Members and non-members have inquired about this tension. How to balance having faith while having doubts and questions.
Even today, the youth and I are meeting for confirmation and Sunday school to talk about some difficult passages of scripture in Leviticus. And the humbling part about these conversations is that it is faith in Jesus that has sparked these conversations.
Our lives in faith are permeated and enhanced through our doubts and questions. And perhaps the uncomfortable part for us is allowing faith and doubt to coexist in our hearts minds and souls.
Just because we’re baptized doesn’t mean we have a perfect understanding of faith and what God is up to. Just because we’re confirmed doesn’t mean everything is clear. Bible study, Sunday school, committee meetings, Diakonia classes, even Seminary doesn’t mean it all makes perfect sense.
If anything, the more we talk about God and peel back the layers of love in scripture the more questions we have. The more wondering we do.
And the Good News this day my friends is that just like the disciples Jesus’ resurrection empowers us to not only rejoice but to wonder as well.
Our lives in faith are permeated and enhanced through our doubts and questions. And perhaps the uncomfortable part for us is allowing faith and doubt to coexist in our hearts minds and souls.
So this Easter and always, when we talk about going and sharing faith, take comfort in knowing that none among us is perfect. We are all believers and questioners. Joyous children of God always wondering.
And sometimes sharing your honest doubts and fears is the most faithful proclamation we can give for someone who doesn’t know Jesus.
© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached April 15, 2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church
No comments:
Post a Comment