Misericordias Domini - The Second Sunday after Easter, 2014. John 10:11-16. I Am the Good Shepherd

Thomas Cole, Detail from the Good Shepherd,
his last painting. Note the cross on the sheep,
which is being led by the Shepherd to the distant flock.

Misericordias Domini – The Second Sunday after Easter, 2014

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10AM Central Time

The Hymn #628            Shepherd of Tender Youth               3:74

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 426               The Lord My Shepherd Is            3:81

The Good Shepherd

The Communion Hymn # 307            Draw Nigh                3:72

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
The Hymn #50                 Lord Dismiss Us                3:86

Second Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himselfto him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Three of Luther’s sermons on this text:

Misericordias Domini. Second Sunday After Easter. John 10:11-16. Christ’s Office and Kingdom; or How Christ is the True Shepherd
Second Sermon: Preachers, Civil Authorities, and the Knowledge of Christ
Third Sermon: The Good Shepherd and his Sheep; or Christ’s Person, Office and Rulership

Thomas Cole, The Destruction of Empire

The Good Shepherd

Introduction

This was the text when I went to a Lutheran worship service for the first time. I had been at my family's church across the street - Disciples of Christ. Although the Disciples church was supposedly non-liturgical, they used the same order of worship each Sunday, each part called The Ritual of...

They did not use any creeds and they passed Communion through the pews - elements which they called purely symbolic.

They practiced adult baptism only.

The minister was proto-Church-Growth. He was the chaplain of the fire department and once came to church on a fire truck, wearing his white chaplain's firefighter's helmet. He was known for marrying and burying "everyone in town." The personality cult around him disguised the emptiness of his sermons, which were really little entertainment pieces.

In contrast, the former Augustana and soon-to-be ELCA congregation was liturgical, with the liturgy often chanted by seminarians from nearby Augustana Seminary. The seminary merged into the Chicago seminary (LSTC). That seminary is now failing, like several others in ELCA.

The Lutheran sermons at Salem were Biblical and the hymns were usually Lutheran, long on the Scandinavian side and rather short on the German heritage. The Disciples hymns that I considered sung to death were absent at Salem (In the Garden - a good hymn, but every Sunday at the Disciples church?).

Salem Lutheran had a large youth group that met often, using the hymnal for liturgical services. My English teacher was in charge of catechism. Children had to memorize the Small Catechism and repeat it to her, in stages, before they entered confirmation class. A typical confirmation class had 50 or 60 students in those years.

And now - skipping over ELCA - the "conservative" Lutheran synods promote the Disciples approach to Sunday worship:

1. Anti-liturgy.
2. Anti-Creed.
3. Anti-Sacrament.
4. Entertainment.
5. Personality cult.
6. Sermons plagiarized from the worst of the Pente-Evangelicals.
7. Holier than ELCA but working with pro-abortion pro-gay ELCA, two agendas that were never even considered at Salem in Moline.

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

This verse - by itself - says so much.

I AM - this is not simply identification, but Jesus revealing Himself as the I AM of the Burning Bush in Exodus 3. He is God, the Word Incarnate. The I AM sermons in John (unique to the Fourth Gospel) are special messages to us about Jesus and His relationship to the Father. Likewise, when Jesus said "I AM" to the frightened disciples when He walked on the water, He was not saying, "It's me," but "I AM God."

The Good Shepherd is also a special construction. Literally, it is "I AM the Shepherd the Good." Sometimes we use constructions like that in English - Frederick the Wise, Pippin the Bald.

The word for good here is stronger in Greek - noble. In this combination it means:

• The Ultimate Shepherd, or
• The Unique Shepherd, or
• The Shepherd above all shepherds.

We have used the Good Shepherd so much in English that everyone knows what that means, and no hip translation can replace what is familiar to us through readings, paintings, and stained glass.

We see in religious art the Shepherd guiding His flock with His staff (Psalm 23) or holding a lamb in His Arms (Isaiah 40).

Norma Boecker - The Good Shepherd

The second part of the verse defines what it means for Jesus to be the Good Shepherd - He gives His life for the sheep.

The unifying aspect of the Shepherd and Isaiah 53 can be seen in the conversion of the Ethiopian. The passage in Acts emphasizes both the study of the Word and also the need for oral proclamation of the Word.

Acts 8:26-40

King James Version (KJV)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

The preaching of the Gospel is the proclamation of the Atonement, which was predicted as early as Genesis 3:15 and clearly taught in Isaiah 53. However, the Word of God requires teachers who know its exact meaning, without watering it down or changing it.

The message of the Atonement is simply this. Jesus died for the sins of the world. This sermon - who can believe our report? (Isaiah 53, Romans 10) - plants and sustains faith in the hearts of those who listen attentively to it. Some scoff and do not listen. Others listen and believe for a short time. Others listen and remain in faith until they build idols in their hearts to worship - in place of God. The last group can disguise themselves within the visible church as believers, but their actions and decisions betray their lack of faith.

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The hired hand has no ownership, so he runs away from his responsibility and lets the wolves scatter and devour the sheep. Look at what has happened among the Lutherans, whether they are labeled liberal or conservative. They all have the same message of Universalism (everyone forgiven and saved), the same attitude of Anything Goes! - unless someone questions Holy Mother Synod.

Remember Salem, was Augustana (Augsburg Confession) and now ELCA - where I first experienced liturgical worship? They remain in ELCA and do not even mention the travail caused by the radicals. Another congregation in Moline (Faith) left ELCA with their property. But not Salem.

Shepherd of Peace in Columbus, Ohio, WELS - We used The Lutheran Hymnal when I was there. One member handed a packet of my articles to the next pastor - all of them against Church Growth, saying, "This is why we joined here." Now the congregation is sponsoring Jeske's untalented music group, Koine, which charges $3,000 to show up - to wreck old hymns and sing their own wretched compositions. The son-in-law of a founder of Church and Change is the pastor now, and a rock band is being mentioned for future "worship."

The hired hand works for money and fears the loss of his income and security. The hired hand can be bought and owned for a pittance.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

This is a passage about the Invisible Church, the true Church. In all denominations and even outside of denominations, there are people who listen to the voice of the Shepherd. They believe in Jesus. They heard His voice, and they love to hear messages about Him. Jesus knows which sheep belong to Him, even if we do not. And His sheep know His voice and will listen to no other.

Knowing Jesus is the same as knowing the Father, because the Son knows the Father and the Father knows the Son. Faith in Jesus makes us bold, because we trust in the One who created the universe as the Creating Word - in harmony with the Father and the Spirit (Genesis 1, John 1). 

The Holy Trinity is more powerful than any synod, more than all the denominations put together - and yet people fear man-made synods and disregard the revelation of God in this passage.

Jesus laid down His life for the sheep. That means He redeemed us with His blood, so He created us and bought us both. That powerful relationship cannot be disowned unless we are willing to face terrible consequences.

In English class we just watched Voyage of the Dawn Treader - by C. S. Lewis. In the book and film, Eustace is obnoxious and self-centered. He finds a deserted area filled with gold and becomes enchanted by it. He wakes up to find himself a golden dragon that everyone fears and chases away. When danger looms, he flies away until called upon to do his duty. Repentance comes and he shows himself contrite by finally serving others rather than his own desires.

Too many have stretched themselves out on a bed of Thrivent gold or Schwan silver, only to wake up as dragons.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Christ Jesus brings sheep into the fold - we do not. If we teach the Gospel as it is, without watering it down or sugar-coating it, the elect sheep hear His voice and come to hear more. 

But it is indeed ironic that the pastors (Latin for shepherd) know this and choose to use a secular voice, the voice of entertainment and fads, to invite people to share their utter lack of faith. And this works in some cases. An organization can grow without faith, but it soon becomes anti-Gospel, abusive, and self-centered. Robert Schuller was thoughtful enough to illustrate this in his "ministry" - and he rightly calls himself the father of Church Growth.

And even more ironic - that those who use the name Luther teach against Luther, against justification faith - and more importantly - against the Scriptures. They do so knowingly, because no power can displace them. They replace one criminal with another. They drive out true shepherds. They gather gold and silver from business and foundations and share it among themselves alone. 

Jesus never said the true Church would be enormous in size. Luther often mentioned, "The Gospel is thinly sown."

There is a hymn - Fear Not Little Flock - but there is no hymn called "Fear Not, Mega-Flock."

Upcoming Publications and Posts

My Lutheran Hymnal has finished production. Promotion will start soon. It will be available on Amazon's Create Space and as an e-book on Kindle.

Norma Boeckler is finishing her illustrated book on the Augsburg Confession. I wrote a short introduction to it.

Next is the apologetics novel. Setting - Moline. The rough draft will be finished relatively soon. The Moline trip is to photograph some settings and check on facts. Sassy is going along to supervise. Chris will enjoy a special ladies luncheon with Moline High friends from 1966, The Class the Stars Fell On.

I am sure a number of projects will emerge, because I have some material that will be useful for those who love Luther's work - as few as that may be today.

Upcoming posts -

Top Ten Crimes in WELS.

Top Ten Doctrinal Crimes in WELS.

Classic Ichabod - One More Useless Letter to Mark Schroeder, Jeske's Director of Public Relations. Nothing Was Done, Except To Protect the Perps.Entire 29-Page Letter Linked at Bottom of Each Post

Monday, November 1, 2010

St. Peter, Freedom, Wisconsin. Letter to WELS Officials, pp. 1-3

Click here for pages 4-5.

Bow down and worship me, WELS, and all this will be yours.

Frustration about the Apostate Synods

Martin Luther was UOJ - sure, sure.

It is impossible for anyone to remain Christian without the external preaching of the Word of God (KJV), the Lord's Supper, Office of the Keys, Baptism.  God saves me by the external preaching of the Word (KJV) and the external means of grace (Baptism, Office of the Keys, Holy Communion).  

How can I remain Christian?  I do not trust any pastor or church or synod anymore.  The main synods are apostate; but not everyone in the synods are apostate.  I do not trust you either when you insist on everyone leaving the apostate synods to sit all by themselves with NO pastor to preach the Word (KJV).  NO pastor to administer Holy Communion OFTEN (at least once a week). No pastor to administer Baptism and the Office of the Keys.  What good are the means of grace unless they are administered OFTEN by faithful pastors in my area.

I have no where to turn at this point.  No pastor can be trusted, not even you.  The office of pastor demands that they be the first to step forward against the false teaching in the apostate synods. I do not see this happening.  So don't ask me to leave the apostate synod until I have a faithful pastor in my area.  

I apologize for my frustration. I do respect you and I do agree with your teachings; but please stop asking us laymen to do the impossible.  

With Respect,

Name Withheld

***

GJ - I would rather see the apostates leave their synods and join the Unitarian-Universalist Association, but they want the funds they already control. 

I am not trying to tell people what to do - only to open their eyes to what is happening around them.

Synodicals think in terms of affiliations.

The conservative Evangelicals do not worry about membership, as long as someone believes what the Bible teaches.

Lutherans do not care what someone believes, as long as he belongs to the right synod.

Mark Jeske is ELCA, WELS, ELS,
WELS, New Age.
They all lub, lub, lub him.

Big Beer Glasses To Fill at the Stinky Old Bar Called The CORE -

Pictured: Pastor Mike, Kim, Brooklyn, and Maya

Pastor Mike Novotny mnovotny@eastsidelutheran.org 244-3045 ext. 12 Hello! I’m Pastor Mike Novotny, the outreach pastor here at Eastside. I’m a Green Bay native who has lived all over our great state. After attending Green Bay Preble High School, I decided to become a pastor and enrolled at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. It was there that I met my wife to be, Kim Springstroh, an Appleton native. We married just after graduation in June of 2003.

------------------------  C A L L S   A C C E P T E D  ---------------------
    Novotny, Rev Michael T     St Peter - Appleton WI             04/25/2014
         Associate Pastor @ The CORE

Hulk Does Impression of SpenerQuest Debating UOJ

None dare call it LutherQuest.

Where is their pal Paul McCain? They used to link his plagiarism of The Catholic Encyclopedia every day.

Perhaps he is in Rome for the pope-saints.

Quasimodogeniti, The First Sunday after Easter, April 27, 2014. John 20:19-31. Doubting Thomas

Quasimodogeniti, The First Sunday after Easter, 2014

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time

The Hymn # 199                 Jesus Christ is Risen  1:83

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #200                I Know that My Redeemer            1:80

Two Natures United in One Person

The Communion Hymn #187            Christ Is Arisen                     1:45

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
The Hymn # 195 (Luther)            Christ Jesus             1:46

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead with His life-giving Word,
by Norma Boeckler.

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.

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.

Two Natures United in One Person

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. 

In one verse, John shows us once again the Two Natures of Christ. The Fourth Gospel is often called the Gospel of Faith, but one listener added, "It is also the Doctrinal Gospel."

True indeed. John's Gospel teaches us about the Trinity, the Father-Son relationship, the work of the Holy Spirit, faith, Creation, the Sacraments, forgiveness, and the Two Natures of Christ.

This one narrative teaches us about faith and about the Two Natures of Christ, human and divine, united in One Person - Jesus.

This is a contrast between faith and doubt. Thomas had years of experience with Christ. He was not a traitor like Judas. He was the eye-witness to those miracles we read about. He not only heard Jesus teaching but also Jesus explaining His teaching. 

How did this happen? Perhaps fear overcame faith. They are not the same. Fear is an emotion. Trust is not an emotion, which is why leaders fail when they try to emphasize feelings.

Luther observed that when fear takes over, faith goes out the window. Fear is generated by our experience and human reason. Thomas the disciples had good reason to be afraid. The power of the Roman Empire was overwhelming and they knew all about the religious opposition. 

Religion always increases the power of evil. Norma retaliation on a secular level is raised to the highest degree because they are sure they are doing God's will. When the staff of a church takes a member to court for telling the truth, one has to wonder, "Were you even thinking when you planned this?"

The first verse shows us that the divine nature of Christ was not limited by His human nature. Rationalists have a door left open or a secret entrance. But the text simple says the doors were locked for fear of the Jews.  There is nothing to hint at an alternative, which human reason demands. Just the opposite would be true of men fearing for their lives. They would make sure everything was locked down.

The Son of God cannot be locked out of a room. What man cannot imagine, God does all the time. When people fail to give honor to His power and guidance, they trust themselves and become like Doubting Thomas. "I will trust in miracles only if they conform to my requirements."

The visible Christian Church is governed by fear today, because their is a drought of the Word and a complete lack of faith at the highest levels. Doubt generates even more fear, and fear generates doubt. Therefore, people believe that money will solve their problems. When they get the money they covet, they spend it foolishly because God will not prosper those activities that go against His will, even if they are popular at the moment.

Let us hope that no one forgets this - In one generation, Robert Schuller went from teaching Possibility Thinking to seeing his Crystal Cathedral sold to the Roman Catholic Church.

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.

The disciples were at their lowest point before Jesus appeared. Everything seemed collapsed, but they were still together as a unit. Jesus said that no one of them would be lost. The memory of the crucifixion fears and dismay would animate their sermons as long as they lived. They and the others were chosen to see the risen Christ so their witness would be the foundation of the Christian Church.

Jesus appeared as a real man, with the marks of His crucifixion. He was not a vision, not a spirit, but God Incarnate. Only a human being would have scars from the crucifixion. But only God could appear at will.

The Incarnation is the ultimate test of Christian faith, expressed in many ways in the New Testament. No one had to say "bodily resurrection" because they knew what resurrection of the dead meant. It was not a dream, not a vision, but a reality.

Jesus prepared them by raising the widow's son, the young girl, and Lazarus, who came to Jerusalem with Jesus on Palm Sunday. Everyone hailed Jesus because the evidence of His power was there at the parade. The funeral party because the Messianic party and it spread across the city, leading to formation of the Christian Church there.

Jesus appearance to disciples restored their complete faith and promised them much more. The Holy Spirit would lead them and teach them, bringing to remembrance what Jesus had done and had taught.

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.

I keep looking for the missing Trinity in the Bible. The rationalists tell me the doctrine was invented 500 years after Christ. Knappe, the Halle Pietist who taught UOJ, said the doctrine of the Trinity was not Biblical.

But here is the Son speaking of the Father and Holy Spirit. In two verses, the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is revealed. Through the Gospel, the disciples will offer forgiveness and also non-forgiveness.

Forgiveness is receive through faith. Unbelief does not know anything about forgiveness or receive forgiveness, whether it is called the forgiveness of sin or absolution, grace.

The good tree of faith produces good fruit, while the evil tree of unbelief produces corrupt fruit. 

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. 

The reaction of Thomas is definitely criticized by Jesus in the strongest possible terms. You believe because you saw me? Blessed are those who believe without seeing.

This is a blessing offered to all those who believe now. Jesus is still present among us, but He is not visible to our eyes. We are blessed for believing without seeing, and through the eyes of faith we see what God does and promises.

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.

There are those who claim the name Lutheran who imagine that "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" has a special meaning, known only to a few hundred fanatics. Their delusion is that Jesus is the reason for the entire world being forgiven - without faith, without the Word, without the Means of Graces.

They must also mean that the Fourth Gospel predicts itself, since the opposite of universal forgiveness and salvation is taught throughout John's Gospel. The purpose of John's Gospel is to create faith - that you might believe, and in believing have life through His Name.