Quasimodo Geniti - The First Sunday after Easter - Doubting Thomas

 

The Hymn #206        Jesus Christ My Sure Defense

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

As newborn babes: desire the sincere milk of the Word.

Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee: 

O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me.

Psalm. Sing aloud unto God, our Strength: 

make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17

The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19 

Collect

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who have celebrated the solemnities of the Lord’s resurrection may, by the help of Thy grace, bring forth the fruits thereof in our life and conversation; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us. Hallelujah!

V. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven: 

and came and rolled back the stone from the door 

and sat upon it. Hallelujah!

The Gospel               

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22     
The Sermon Hymn #656        Behold a Host     

       

He Knows and Guides Us

Communion Hymn # 200       I Know that My Redeemer      

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
Hymn #285        How Precious Is the Book Divine

Prayers and Announcements

• In our prayers] - Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader and Christine, Kermit Way, Dr. Lito Cruz, members and friends.
• Pray for our country, our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
  

KJV 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

First Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thine ineffable grace, for the sake of Thy Son, Thou hast given us the holy gospel, and hast instituted the holy sacraments, that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Thy word; and through the holy sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

He Knows and Guides Us

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Everything was darkness and fear, uniting for strength against the Jews and the stout door. Not knowing is scary. We have lights, locks, chains, extra doors, and noises - and we hope that will do the job. This is the extreme on both sides - the disciples were completely lost and afraid - Jesus was there human/divine - the Word of Creation in Genesis 1 and John 1.

The time between the tortured crucifixion of Jesus and His Resurrection were frightening and chaotic. He knew what had to happen, and everyone either read, heard, or dismissed such passages as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. The disciples were so afraid of the Jewish leaders that they barred the door shut. Jesus appeared to them and said the most comforting Word - Peace be to all of you (plural).

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

They were mixed up, confused, and afraid, but the Good Shepherd was fearless and compassionate. There were so many episodes in the past. 

• The disciples even accused Jesus - Do you not care if we die? 
• When Jesus suggested help for a huge group of pilgrims following them, "We don't have enough money!"  Our tendency is to respond to fears and agony, pressures and confusion, often - simply the reality of the seemingly unknown future. Our response is not adequate because the Son Himself has us in His hands.

21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Peace and forgiveness go together in the New Testament. That is because faith in Jesus Christ gives us access to God's grace. Jeru-salem means "a place of peace," which is ironic, only because they would not listen to God as the catastrophic battle moved to an end (70 AD). Another revolt and the city was smashed even worse (Bar Kokba Rebellion, 132-36 AD, obliteration.) The Christian believers were scattered before the Roman Army arrived, because the believers were already driven away. That war increased the Christians and saved many lives as a result. They were not counting the numbers, but the faith.

Breathing on and speaking to the disciples was not new by itself, since they were led by the Holy Spirit, but they were assured of Jesus' forgiveness through this act, carried out to the believers and among the believers. Thus the primary work of the Holy Spirit is to 

John 168 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

John 16 8 και ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως 9 περι αμαρτιας μεν οτι ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε

Thus this act in the locked room is to carry out the primary work of the Spirit - to conquer sin through faith in the Savior, whose many miracles and Resurrection give people forgiveness of sin through faith in Him.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

If someone has never doubted the Savior, then that person should re-examine the situation. This is important because we all doubt Him in various ways. Therefore, we need a constant stream of trust in the Good Shepherd and thankfulness for that forgiveness. The Son of God is so great and we are so tiny that we tend to move in the wrong direction, which should begin in forgiveness and continue on the True Vine (John 15).

Enchanted Peace is derived from the famous WWII Peace Rose.

I looked out on the front parsonage garden this morning, after some rain.  At least 60 roses are in full bloom, all waiting to become seeds (hips) and in some cases pruned away. Jesus Christ has given us clear, simple examples to understand His ministry to us. Remaining with Him means being fruitful in His Kingdom. Cleansing (being forgiven) makes us fruitful. The rose (or grape vine) is never dormant but can become that way without the source.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Doubting Thomas is really Believing Thomas, because he traveled to Kerala, India with the Gospel and established Christianity there. We got to know a family from Kerala and attended the wedding of the older daughter. We often talked about how the Gospel there spread in various parts of the world, truly a global network.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

This event is unique to the Fourth Gospel and easily remembered by its drama and meaning. The mainline/apostate ministers and teachers mock this passage (and the Fourth Gospel), thus proving their inability to let the Gospel take effect and guide their lives. Nothing is more powerful than the Spirit working to teach us about Christ and His benefits. The longer we live, the more we realize that truth.