May 14th, 2017
Devotional
“The Seven Next Words of Christ: Peace be with You” - John 20: 19-29
Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com
Monday: “Doubting Thomas” - John 20: 24-25
I never really understood why Thomas got a bad reputation or why he was singled out for the nickname “doubter.” Ten of the disciples were locked inside of a house, hiding together out of fear what might happen to them at the hands of those who had killed their Lord. Yet, Thomas was brave enough to not be hiding with them. He was brave enough to venture beyond the locked door. Yet we never mention that each year when this passage is preached. Or what about the fact that everyone but Thomas had an encounter with the risen Christ that lead them to believe - Mary Magdeline did. The other ten disciples did. They believed after seeing and talking with Christ and receiving their orders in mission for the Kingdom of God. Thomas was simply left out and demanded what everyone else had received. Yet we do not talk about that either.
Each year a sermon is usually preached belittling Thomas for not believing what he did not see. As if Thomas sinned by wanting the same opportunity as everyone else. But Thomas’ biggest problem is not that he doubted Jesus because he did not see. Rather, what truly gets him labeled a doubter is that he does not believe ten men whom he lived with for three years, ministered with, ate with, and loved as close friends. He did not trust the people whom he was closest with to speak the truth in his life. Thomas will not believe that what they say is true unless he sees it for himself.
What has caused you to doubt? How does doubt affect your walk with God?
Prayer: Jesus, we come before you today and say that we all struggle with doubts. Even after we have walked with you. Even after you have shown yourself to us time and time again. Use our doubts, O Lord, to draw us even closer to you. Help us believe what is true. Amen.
Tuesday: “Jesus Came” - John 20: 19-23
The Disciples told Thomas about what they had witnessed, and he did not believe them. I think many of us do not share what we witness in other’s lives because we are afraid we will suffer the same rebuke as the disciples, with people wanting to see for themselves. We live in a time when everything is suspect, and things are rarely believed without first hand experiences. And we easily doubt anything that makes us uncomfortable. Yet our faith asks us to trust the word of others. To trust what faithful people tell us about God working in and through us.
But the rest of the Disciples were doubters just as much as Thomas, just in a different way. They didn’t trust what their Lord had told them throughout their time together. That Jesus would be persecuted, put to death, but that he would return after he had gone away. That his peace would come and dwell with them and the Spirit would be gifted to them. They might have heard Jesus say these things, many of which were said time and time again, yet they didn’t expect them to happen. They didn’t expect them to be true. They didn’t trust the one who speaks the ultimate truth, the Word made Flesh.
Why does Jesus ask his disciples to look at his hands and feet to counter their unbelief?
Prayer: Lord, help us to respond as you stand amongst us, both as individuals and as your church, and hear your words of peace. Help us to find comfort in your presence and may your voice change our very hearts, hearts that sometimes doubt, and worry, and have mis-placed priorities. Help us to trust you more fully. Amen.
Wednesday: “ Doubting Disciples” - John 20: 19-23
Perhaps the true message of this gospel text cannot be summed up neatly in the nickname “doubting Thomas”, but rather the doubting disciples. Are we not all part of the doubting group at one time or another? Don’t we doubt when we receive a word spoken over us that we do not want to hear. Or when we don’t quite believe that Jesus will respond to our prayers. Don’t we all doubt when we don’t know if our faith is quite worth sharing with others or anticipate a negative reaction?
Perhaps the true lesson for us is that while we doubt, Jesus remains faithful. While we doubt, we are still given the Holy Spirit and the Peace of Christ. Even when we test Christ, as Thomas did, saying if this happens then I will believe, Christ remains faithful. Even when we cannot feel Christ with us or see him with our eyes, it is still the breathe of God that breathed into dust and brought it to life, and it is still the breath of the risen Christ who bestows the Holy Spirit. Even when we disbelieve it is still the life breath of the Spirit moving in and through us.
And it is that same breath when we emerge from our doubts that enables us to cry out “My Lord and my God!”
What blocks us from having a peace filled life?
Prayer: Lord, we have doubts, help our unbelief. At times, O Lord, we feel like we are blind leading the blind. We, in our own doubts, don’t know how to lead others to you. Strengthen and use us, we pray. Amen.
Thursday: “But Thomas” - John 20: 24-25
That’s the beauty of this story is - we can understand it. We can place ourselves in it. At a Lenten Bible study once a conversation ensued about how people could disbelieve Christ when he walked among them in the flesh and they could directly see what he did. But if they doubted, can’t we admit that we do from time to time as well? And can’t it make us better understand and minister to a world that doubts as well? Does not the experience of doubting allow us to tell the story of how we emerged from our doubt and how we were finally able to believe Christ and to believe the words of the faithful followers who spoke truth into our lives? And do we truly walk by faith at all times, or are their instances, when just like Thomas, we want the signs that so many others have received?
How does God get your attention?
What do you need from God to help you believe?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for never giving up on us, never giving up on getting our attention. Thank you, Lord, for meeting us where we are at and showing us your never-failing love. Amen.
Friday: “My Lord and My God” - John 20: 26-29
Even when we have unbelief, God provides for us and meets us in our moments of need, just as he did with Thomas. Do we not trust that God will reach out to us with the same love and provision? The risen Christ was kind enough to come to the disciples gathered in the rom after they disbelieved Mary’s word. And he was kind enough to return when Thomas needed more proof then the word of his friends. Even when all doubted, Jesus remained faithful. Yes blessed are those who do not need to see or hear directly from the Lord, but we all fall into both categories. Sometimes we want something more and sometimes we so willingly trust and follow Jesus, even when it seems unclear. But this passage reminds us that the risen Lord is just as faithful to us as he was to the disciples, no matter if we easily believe or want something more. So I ask you, what do you need from him to be able to cry out “My Lord and my God”? Oh Lord, help us to believe.
How does God speak in our world today?
How do you hear God speak to you and how do you respond?
Prayer: Lord, help us to cry with Thomas, “My Lord and My God.” Help us to respond not just to your nail pierced hands and side, demanding to see, but to your gentle voice, leading us each day. Help us to trust you, even int eh midst of our doubts and unbelief. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “The Seven Next Words of Christ: Go into the World” - Matthew 28: 18-20, Mark 16: 15-18, and Luke 24: 45-40
Family Activity: Have each member of your family close their eyes as someone else whispers something to them. Now have them open their eyes and have you say the same thing to them. Is it easier to believe the whisper or what we see other people saying. How does this relate to God speaking to us?
No comments:
Post a Comment