Today’s Scripture

Psalm 100       Acts 5:12, 17-32          Revelation 1:4-18        John 20:19-31

 

            Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.  So shall it be!  Amen.

            “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

 

            Do you remember those childhood fears in the middle of the night?  Whatever it was, you were frightened.  You were afraid that you were alone and no one was there and you needed someone.  Then, the light in the hallway went on and you heard your father or mother say, “I’m here.”  The fears immediately left.  You sat up, no longer trembling, but anxiously waiting to see the person behind that voice.  How great to know that person was here.

 

            In today’s Gospel as the disciples are behind locked doors and in great fear, Jesus appears. He says to them, “I am here.”  Thomas does not believe when he hears about this, so Jesus appears again and convincingly says, “I am here.”  He also comforts you and me today as he says one does not have to see to believe.  That is what faith is, believing what one cannot see.

 

            In the reading in Acts we see temple leaders then no different than this world today.  This “Jesus” thing is a threat.  He really is not here, and he never was after we put him away.  How is that any different than today as Jesus is seen as a threat or as something that does not really count?  Do we see this in:

• Political power and legislation
• Social and cultural issues
• Economic issues – what sells is good no matter it is
• In our hobbies and sports – forget the Illini chieftain, how about following Satanic images such as different colors of Devils and depictions of Demons as our mascots
• Activities and games that take individuals and families away from the importance of worship and instruction in our faith on Sundays and/or other times?

 

            How can Jesus be here with us when a tragedy occurs, something does not go my way, and society is more concerned with cute bunnies and chicks instead of what this really is about the cross and the empty tomb?  Well, the cross does make good jewelry and sells just about anywhere.  Even blasphemous stars wear crosses!  Just as the temple leaders then, many today try every way possible to imprison the faithful from proclaiming the truth, Jesus is alive and Jesus is real.  But as the miracle occurred then, the miracle continues today with the proclamation of the Gospel in many and various ways here at home and throughout the world.  That is what the ABLAZE small groups are all about, strengthening believers in the confidence that, “Yes, I can tell another person about God’s love in Jesus so they too will be saved.”     

 

            Now, in this last book of Scripture, the final account recorded, John offers these words we all long to hear, “Grace,” and “Peace.”  Grace is God’s love to you, undeserved love but he loves you none the less.  Peace is knowing that he is here, comforting your troubled hearts in your dark world of sin and evil.  Peace is what Jesus said as he appeared to the disciples.  Peace is what God’s word is all about as angels, his own messengers, continually say to us, “Do not be afraid.”  And that is because, God is here..  He is not in a far off, remote and spiritual-only place.  He is here as that voice in the night.

 

            This grace and peace comes to you from him;

• Who is – remember, God calls himself the “I am.”  There is nothing that restricts God. He is everywhere and at all times, even when there is no time (before creation and after creation has been destroyed).  He is everywhere and at every moment.  God is.
• Who was – in our time at creation, with Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the list goes one.  In the person of Jesus, he was here with us in his human nature as he completed the task purchasing us from our sins and winning eternal life for us.
• Who is to come – as he was here once, he will come again.  God will never leave you alone or forsake you. While teaching Jesus said he will come again.  When he ascended the angels pronounced that he will come again.  Has God not fulfilled every one promise so far?  How can he not fulfill this last one? 

 

            Jesus again tells us, “I am here,” as John falls at his feet.  We know that we cannot stand in God’s presence.  Our sin kills us.  But Jesus restores us as he did John, placing his hand on him and saying, “Do not be afraid.”  Again Jesus reassures us he is always here being the first and the last.  Jesus begins everything in life, and he finishes everything in life.  When Jesus comes in judgment at the end of all created things, each individual will see him and each individual brings judgment on himself.  Those who deny Christ in this world, Jesus will deny on that day.  Those who believe and trust in Jesus in this world will receive the forgiveness and eternal life that he alone brings.  Those who believe in a resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will receive that same resurrection.

 

            Meanwhile, we do not need to wait for his return to know this for sure because Jesus is here.  He is here in his word as we hear his voice, we hear God speak to us in law that convicts us and his grace that saves us.  We know he is here as we read that word, as we hear that word spoken to us, and as we recall that word committed to heart.  We know he is here in the sacraments, in the water that washes and renews and the bread and wine the nourishes and strengthens.  All of these, word and sacraments, bring you Jesus, bring you God’s love, and bring you communion with the Holy Spirit. 

 

 

 

            “I am the Alpha and the Omega.”  We know Jesus is everything from A to Z, from beginning to end.  He is the living one, who once was dead but now is alive, and cannot die again.  Jesus broke the bonds of death forever.  Death has been swallowed up in that very victory.  And in that victory, Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades, Hell.  That is the crux of our faith in Jesus.  No one comes to the Father except through him.  Those who acknowledge him before men, who confess faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Jesus will acknowledge them to God in heaven.  Those who deny Christ will be denied to the Father as well.  The key to heaven is the forgiveness of sins.  We are here to hear those words, “In the stead and by the command of Jesus Christ, I forgiven you all your sins.”  Jesus took all of your sins to the cross.  That is comfort.  That is peace.  That is God’s grave to you.  And now Jesus has sent us out to bring this news of forgiveness and eternal life in his name to all who will hear and believe. 

 

            “I am here,” Jesus tells you as his word is in your heart.  He holds you so that no one can snatch your out of his hand.  He leads you through the valley of the shadow of death and restores you.  Jesus gives you his righteousness in place of your sinfulness, so you will stand with him in heaven.  Remember Jesus’ words that those who believe in him will not die, but have crossed over from death to life.  Remember his words, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

 

            “I am here,” Jesus says.  Amen.

 

Alleluia!  Christ is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed!  Alleluia!