Rich was asked to preach at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lansing, MI, on April 15, 2007.
Here’s Your Sign
Here’s Your Sign
Please pray with me: “Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight.” Amen.
The text is taken from John: 20:
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "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 it."
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Thomas needed a sign – a verification – an indication that what he heard from the other disciples was true – Jesus was indeed alive.
Today we call Thomas “Doubting Thomas” because he needed a sign that what he heard was true.
Thomas was not the first person that needed a sign to believe –
Even in today’s world we need signs – in 1967, Brenton Wood performed his hit song “Gimme Little Sign” - play music
Even today when we are told some Good News – we look for signs – proof that the news is correct
Which puts Thomas in a little different perspective – he was looking for a sign – not unlike all of us.
Thomas was chosen to be an Apostle – he was with Jesus throughout his ministry – It was Thomas who spoke up when Jesus and the disciples heard the news about Lazarus dieing – the disciples argued that they should not go back to the Jerusalem area – but Thomas spoke up and declared to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
When Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise of place in a Heavenly Mansion, it was Thomas who asked Jesus “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus responded “I am the Way and the truth and the life.” – powerful, comforting words.
So now we see Thomas talking to the other disciples – Thomas was not locked in the room when Jesus appeared – we are not told where he was – maybe he wasn’t afraid – maybe he was at his house – all we know is that he was absent when Jesus appeared to the other disciples.
When Thomas heard the news – he responded with the demand for a sign - "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 it."
A week later Thomas received his sign – Jesus told Thomas to "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas had his sign – he believed – and declared “"My Lord and my God!"
So Thomas confessed that Jesus was his Lord and God. This was the second appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the locked room. Now one would imagine that such confession and manifestation of the living Lord would inspire the disciples to reach out to the community – to proclaim their Living Lord.
What did they do? – they went fishing – out on the Sea of Galilee.
It was there that another disciple needed a sign – Peter walked with the Lord after breakfast and the Lord asked him – “Do you Love me?” – three times – it was the last time that Peter received his sign – he was forgiven. Jesus gave him the command “Feed my sheep” – “Feed my Lambs”
So it is with us – here and now – we are given the command in Matthew 28 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
How do we make disciples? – share Jesus– in word and deed –
Let’s practice – Jesus Loves You – Jesus Died for your sins – Jesus rose to free you from those sins – Jesus prepares a place in heaven – for you!
In deed – obey everything Christ has commanded – our calendars, our checkbooks and our “to do” lists are His!
“I am with you always” – do we need a sign?
Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Amen
May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Amen.
Please pray with me: “Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight.” Amen.
The text is taken from John: 20:
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "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 it."
26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Thomas needed a sign – a verification – an indication that what he heard from the other disciples was true – Jesus was indeed alive.
Today we call Thomas “Doubting Thomas” because he needed a sign that what he heard was true.
Thomas was not the first person that needed a sign to believe –
- God gave Noah and his family the sign of the rainbow saying, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
- The Lord told Gideon that he would save Israel from the Midianites – Gideon asked the Lord for a sign – that the fleece would be wet and the ground dry – the Lord showed him the sign – but Gideon still needed a sign – so he asked that the fleece be dry and the ground wet – it was
- The shepherds were given a sign by the angles – “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger”
- Yes – though out the Bible people are looking for signs – affirmations of decisions
Even in today’s world we need signs – in 1967, Brenton Wood performed his hit song “Gimme Little Sign” - play music
Even today when we are told some Good News – we look for signs – proof that the news is correct
- I can remember Mom waking me up with the words – “School is Closed – snow day” and I would hop out of bed – run to the window – had to make sure the snow was really there – and then run to the TV to see the school name – that was the definitive sign!
- Last Sunday there was a TV camera crew here filming the service, gathering information to make a Cover Story for the evening news about how Our Savior church is helping the victims of the apartment fire. So what did I do when I heard that? – yep – watched the news – I had to see it for myself.
- If I shared the news with you that Mrs. Greve’s BLOG has inspired teachers in Connecticut, England and Western Australia – you would want to read the comments for yourself – at OurSaviorChurch.org
Which puts Thomas in a little different perspective – he was looking for a sign – not unlike all of us.
Thomas was chosen to be an Apostle – he was with Jesus throughout his ministry – It was Thomas who spoke up when Jesus and the disciples heard the news about Lazarus dieing – the disciples argued that they should not go back to the Jerusalem area – but Thomas spoke up and declared to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
When Jesus comforted His disciples with the promise of place in a Heavenly Mansion, it was Thomas who asked Jesus “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus responded “I am the Way and the truth and the life.” – powerful, comforting words.
So now we see Thomas talking to the other disciples – Thomas was not locked in the room when Jesus appeared – we are not told where he was – maybe he wasn’t afraid – maybe he was at his house – all we know is that he was absent when Jesus appeared to the other disciples.
When Thomas heard the news – he responded with the demand for a sign - "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 it."
A week later Thomas received his sign – Jesus told Thomas to "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas had his sign – he believed – and declared “"My Lord and my God!"
So Thomas confessed that Jesus was his Lord and God. This was the second appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the locked room. Now one would imagine that such confession and manifestation of the living Lord would inspire the disciples to reach out to the community – to proclaim their Living Lord.
What did they do? – they went fishing – out on the Sea of Galilee.
It was there that another disciple needed a sign – Peter walked with the Lord after breakfast and the Lord asked him – “Do you Love me?” – three times – it was the last time that Peter received his sign – he was forgiven. Jesus gave him the command “Feed my sheep” – “Feed my Lambs”
So it is with us – here and now – we are given the command in Matthew 28 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
How do we make disciples? – share Jesus– in word and deed –
Let’s practice – Jesus Loves You – Jesus Died for your sins – Jesus rose to free you from those sins – Jesus prepares a place in heaven – for you!
In deed – obey everything Christ has commanded – our calendars, our checkbooks and our “to do” lists are His!
“I am with you always” – do we need a sign?
Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Amen
May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Amen.