delivered on 19 April 2009
by Rev. Dr John Evans
Acts 4:32-35
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
The question I wish to explore this morning is about the impact of Easter – this amazing discovery that Jesus, the crucified one, was no longer dead, but alive. If you like: is there life after Easter? What was the impact of Easter on the disciples and on the followers of Jesus? Indeed, what does Easter mean for us today – for this community, this Church, for you?
In one commentary I read, reflecting on our readings for this morning, it went so far as to say:
The resurrection of Jesus is a community-evoking, community forming, community-authorizing event. These readings invite a reflection, not upon the miracle of the resurrection itself, but upon the community that is the astonishing outcome of that miracle.
The consequence of Easter is nothing less than the church itself, with particular qualities and particular values which are formed as a result of Easter. As we often say, we are people of the Easter faith. Easter, and the central tenet the Apostles’ Creed – ‘on the third day he rose again’ – is not just something to believe in or struggle with; Easter makes a very different way of life possible.
However, according to scripture, in particular our gospel reading, the church began in fear, anxiety and bewilderment. It was not a confident start.
In John’s gospel, after the two disciples, Peter and we presume John, had seen the empty tomb – and even after Mary Magdalene no doubt excitedly and enthusiastically had announced to them, “I have seen the Lord”, the disciples were cowering behind locked doors “for fear of the Jews”. Who knows what their thoughts were – were they in some way responsible for the empty tomb and would they be punished? What would they do now – it was great while it lasted, but wasn’t it over? These reports of the risen Christ had engendered puzzlement not faith. This was a frightened and troubled group. The resurrection did not seem to bring immediate confidence or joy and did not carry with it implications of a new life and a new beginning.
For this reason this closed-room encounter recorded in our gospel for today becomes so critical in understanding the transformation of this group. Something happened there. What was it that changed this group into the sort of group we encounter in the early chapters of Acts, and in our reading today?
In the early chapters of Acts the followers of Jesus are publicly worshipping God; there is a clear community with the beginnings of some structure; they are living out changed lives – sharing their possessions and resources, caring for the needy among them, loving others as Christ had loved them – and the apostles were “with great power, giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus” (4:33). They are growing in so many different ways.
Four significant things happen that Easter night when the risen, crucified Jesus appears. These factors transform this surviving group of followers.
1. The risen Christ pronounces ‘peace’ upon the disciples. Not once, but three times he says, “Peace be with you.” Before anything else is said or done, peace is offered. In this context of utter turmoil, peace is offered. What would this peace look like? A steady mind and steady heart; OK let us take one thing at a time here. Peace would have been the sense that all is well, life can continue, God’s presence is real. Jesus did not necessarily promise that the turmoil itself would be overcome or removed. Rather, within that context you can cope. They were given God’s peace.
2. These disciples – except for Thomas, of course, who was not with them that Easter night — are given the chance to “see for themselves”; to see his hands and his side. Here is the central thing to grasp: Jesus’ promise of life, the fullness of life, new life is dramatically shown. There is a central belief to grasp: God has raised Jesus from the dead. Indeed this becomes a constant theme in the early preaching recorded in the book of Acts.
Still Doubting by John Granville Gregory
However, John is at pains, moreso than the other gospel writers, to make much of those who do not see, or do not have that opportunity to see for themselves. The story of Thomas and his wanting to see for himself is respected. He’s a type of person we can all relate to. Show me the wounds! This was not an unreasonable thing Thomas wanted to do. Indeed it would be recognised that in future generations, our own generation, this is the way it will have to be. We will not physically see the risen Christ. So Jesus says:
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Sight and touch are important, and rational thought are important – but ultimately, it will be because of your faith and belief – and not proof from observable phenomena. And to have such faith will be a blessing. Whether it is from seeing directly or believing this is the case, either way, at the very outset it is this lived experience of the risen Christ that is transformative, central and critical. Without it, Christianity is a very diminished faith . . . or nothing much at all.
The resurrection is what the disciples constantly preached, as recorded in Acts. It is what the author of I John – presumably the apostle or someone associated with the apostle of that name, affirms at the beginning of his letter:
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life – this life was revealed and we have seen it and testify to it.
Without seeing or believing in the risen Christ – nothing else happens! For the life of the Church, this is central, essential. How can you preach new life, if you yourself don’t believe it?
3. The risen Christ commissions this group of nervous, unsure frightened disciples. A task is given: there is now a job to do. The mission of the church, the mission of God, set in just a few short words, is placed on the disciples:
“As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
Mission, which is derived from the Latin form of this word, to send is what happens to them – they are sent. They are not confined to their own little world. They have a task apart from enjoying this deeply spiritual encounter with God. They are sent out into this world and they are to be like Christ himself. Their mission is to present, re-present Christ, be the body of Christ in the community: to offer life, hope, show love and compassion – to live out and show kingdom values. These people of the Easter faith were given their task and role – that very day.
“As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
And finally, at least according to John, they are given then and there the gift of the Holy Spirit – the spirit of comfort, the paraclete spoken of just a few days earlier in that meal Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room. This Spirit would guide, instruct, re-present Jesus for them. The spirit of Jesus would counsel and help. So from the farewell discourses we have verses like this:
The Advocate, the paraclete, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will remind you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. (14:25)
When the Advocate comes whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. (15:26)
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. (16:12)
These verses are fulfilled not at Pentecost several weeks later, but here in the context of Easter itself. The Holy Spirit is offered to these frightened disciples. Here was the ongoing presence of God in and for this new community who no longer had Jesus to lead, guide and instruct them.
So as the Uniting Church, or as this congregation, or even as an individual follower of Jesus, where are we located as people or a person of the Easter faith? Are we a congregation with the vibrancy of the early church as recorded in Acts 4? Energetic, prepared to live out that faith in radical discipleship – like share our resources and support the poor; worship God and generally show a transformed life because Jesus is no longer dead, but alive? Or are we in a locked room somewhere, unsure what all this Easter stuff might mean?
Many churches, many people, are still locked in a room somewhere in Jerusalem, frightened, anxious and bewildered, not open and expansive, confident and dynamic.
Where would you place yourself, or CAN?
In fact we do pretty well – but it is a good post-Easter check:
Do we accept that in troubled and difficult times, the peace of Christ is among us?
Do we really accept that there is new life offered in believing in the risen Christ? Does Easter actually mean something for us?
Are we clear we do have a Christ-given mission, the mission of God here in this place; and do we do something about it?
Are we confident we are not alone – we have help, the gift of the Spirit of Christ in what we do?
Well, perhaps there is life after Easter!
