The event had happened. The sentence of death was sure; hanging him on a cross in pain and suffering was real; giving up his Spirit and dying was definite; Jesus was dead. His body placed in a tomb, and Jerusalem went on about the business of celebrating the Passover season. The religious troublemaker was gone. 

These were the cold, hard facts the Apostles faced. The other disciples, too, went with their sadness into grief and no one knew what to do, except Mary of Magdala. She knew the body had to be washed and properly anointed with perfumes and oils, and she was about doing that when she discovered the tomb open and empty. Jesus had risen. He was alive. 

After a moment of confusion, a person whom she first thought to be the gardener spoke, and she saw that it was Jesus. He told her to go tell the others, and she did. Later the Apostles met with Jesus and they saw for themselves that it was true. The resurrection had happened. It was real. 

They were in a house, the evening of first day of the week, and the doors were locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” He showed them his wounds, his hands and his side. And the disciples rejoiced. He said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  

But Thomas was not with them when Jesus came. The disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” Thomas was not convinced; and told them what it would take for him to believe. A week later his disciples were in the house; Thomas was with them. 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, embarrassed and aghast said, “My lord and my God.” 

The Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit spoke eloquently to a gathering in Jerusalem; many men from many different places, who spoke in many different tongues; and yet each heard the Apostles speaking in their own languages, telling about God’s deeds of power. They were amazed. 

To this day the same message now comes to us, you and me. It is truth, it is real, it is evidenced over and over, year after year as we recognize Jesus Christ alive in our own lives. And we can say as Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”

Amen

The Rev. George O. Martin is an Ordained Deacon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 17th and Adams, Great Bend. Send email to georgeom@hbcomm.net.