Trinity
Lutheran Church

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The First Reading: Acts 5:27-32

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

The Gospel: John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

The Sermon

Thomas’ story is a timeless story. It is not just about Thomas but more so about whom he represents, namely anyone who tries to navigate a complex and uncertain world, who tries to make sense of events that are beyond their control, who at times experiences fears and doubts or wonders how to apply faith to day to day experiences.
We have to imagine the aftermath of Jesus’ crucifixion. His disciples were terrified and bewildered, therefore they gathered behind locked doors. The man they had followed, loved, and believed in had suffered a brutal death. Their hopes for the Messiah had seemingly been dashed, and their lives were now in danger. Fear paralyzed them, and they retreated into isolation, desperate to avoid the wrath of the authorities.
It’s easy to judge them for their fear, but how often do we find ourselves retreating behind our own locked doors – figuratively speaking – when we have to figure out something for ourselves, when we don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone because it is all too much. The disciples’ behavior is relatable, a human response to overwhelming circumstances.
But even in their isolation, Jesus appeared to them, offering peace and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. His presence was a reminder that no locked door could keep him out.
Among the disciples, Thomas was notably absent during this first appearance of the resurrected Jesus. Later, when the others excitedly recounted what they had seen, Thomas remained skeptical. “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,” he declared. This moment earned Thomas the nickname “Doubting Thomas,” but he was not really so different from the others. After all, none of the disciples initially believed in the resurrection until they encountered Jesus themselves.
Doubt often carries a negative connotation, but it is an essential part of faith. Thomas’ doubt is not the absence of belief but rather the pursuit of understanding. His skepticism showed a desire to know the truth, to experience Jesus for himself. We, too, may wrestle with doubt in our lives when it comes to faith, our purpose, or even the existence of God. Doubt is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of engagement. It is the natural struggle that accompanies a living and dynamic relationship with God.
Jesus then invited Thomas to see and touch his wounds, meeting Thomas where he was. This invitation shows us that God understands our struggles and questions. He doesn’t turn away from our doubts; he welcomes them. Faith is not a static state but a journey that evolves over time, shaped by questions, challenges, and encounters.
Thomas’ encounter with Jesus was transformative. When Jesus appeared again and invited Thomas to touch his wounds, Thomas responded with one of the most profound declarations of faith in the Bible: “My Lord and my God!”
The disciples’ faith did not spring forth fully formed. Each disciple had their own unique journey of belief, and Thomas’ story reminds us that these journeys are deeply personal. They are not all the same.
What I like about Thomas is that he stayed true to himself in the process. He could have avoided all the attention and this label “Doubting Thomas” had he just gone with the flow. He could have pretended to be on the same page as all the others and not rock the boat. He could have hoped that he would catch on later.
But that was not him and so he told the others where he stood with his doubts and what he needed in order to continue the journey with them.
It worked out for him. He continued being one of the most faithful and courageous disciples. Word has it that he became a missionary in India.
After Thomas’ declaration of faith, Jesus responds with a blessing: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. This blessing is for all of us who live in a world where we cannot physically see or touch Jesus. Faith, for us, requires trust in the unseen and a willingness to believe in God’s promises even when evidence feels elusive.
This is not unique to faith alone. When we think about it, in our daily lives, we are constantly faced with situations where we must believe in what we cannot yet see – whether it’s the hope of overcoming an illness, the healing of a relationship, or the guidance of God in a difficult decision.
Thomas’ story, along with the experiences of the other disciples, illustrates that struggling with faith is not a sign of failure but a sign of a living and active relationship with God. Questions, doubts, and challenges are all part of a dynamic faith journey. They push us to grow, explore, and deepen our connection with God.
We are invited to be true to ourselves and ask the questions we have, even when we feel that everyone else has figured them out already. Chances are that they haven’t either but don’t dare to ask the question.
What we can be sure about is that Jesus meets us where we are, whether are fearful, in doubt, in despair, or just curious. God is always with us on this journey of evolving faith. Amen.
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds. Amen.