Here Is The Evidence

John 20: 19-31

We have all probably heard that old caution: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'. It does not necessarily mean that we should allow our suspicion, cynicism, and doubt to keep us from taking advantage of excellent opportunities, what it does mean is that we should check out the facts and seek out evidence before we commit ourselves to things that sound too good to be true.

Some things are hard for us to believe without evidence, and the more unlikely the story, the greater the need for supporting evidence if it is to be believed.

After the resurrection of Jesus, his disciples had a story to tell. In fact it was more than just a story, it was the most exciting and liberating truth ever told - it was the greatest event in human history. They had met the risen saviour! Jesus the Christ was alive! That was their story! And what an incredible story it was.

One can just imagine the pure joy and overwhelming excitement they must have felt knowing that their saviour was alive. This was not the sort of news that they could have kept to themselves. So when Thomas, who was not present when Jesus appeared, joined them, they told him “We have seen the Lord!”

One would have expected that Thomas would have been swept off his feet by such incredibly good news, that he would have been jumping and shouting for joy, or perhaps that he would have just stood there transfixed and speechless as he tried to take it all in.

Instead, Thomas, rather matter-of-factly said: “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.”

Not the sort of reaction that we would expect.

When we think of Thomas, we often label him as doubting Thomas. But think for a moment, what reason would Thomas have had for doubting his colleagues? Why would they lie to him about something as serious as that? And it certainly could not have been intended as a joke, for that would have been a most cruel and insensitive joke, plus I don’t think that any of them would have been in the mood for joking anyway.

So why did Thomas not believe?

I think the reason why Thomas did not believe was because the news that Jesus was alive was just too wonderful and incredible for him to accept without evidence.

I that respect, Thomas was no different to any one of us. As it is with us, I’m sure, the more amazing the story, the greater would be the need for supporting evidence.

So when Thomas said “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.” what Thomas was saying in effect was: this is an incredible story, it is one that I would love to believe, but where is the evidence?

You know what I find most fascinating about all this? It is the fact that Thomas asked for the evidence, and Jesus willingly obliged.

We are told that a week later his disciples were again in the house, and 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 answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20: 26-28)

Here we are today, proclaiming Jesus, risen from the dead, but where is the evidence? Is there any evidence?

I believe that the evidence is all around us, and Thomas helps us to see it.

Thomas has often been labeled as doubting Thomas, but I would like to call him discerning Thomas. When Thomas wanted evidence that Jesus was alive, he was very specific about what he wanted to see, he said ““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.” And Jesus showed him what he wanted to see.

I find that most interesting indeed. Thomas wanted to see a Jesus still bearing his wounds. And Jesus showed himself to Thomas still bearing his wounds. Why?

A wounded Jesus defies what comes to mind when we think of resurrection, doesn’t it? The picture that comes to mind when we think of resurrection is one of perfection and wholeness, we imagine a glorified Jesus where everything about him has been made new - a Jesus whose work is done. But here Jesus reveals himself still bearing his wounds. Why?

I believe that it because a post resurrection wounded Jesus, communicates a very powerful message – a message of hope. I believe that it tells us that Jesus still identifies with wounded humanity and a broken world. It tells us that we are not on our own in our brokenness and woundedness. It tells us that Jesus does not stand apart from us in our struggles and pains.

We are wounded people living in a broken world. We deal with sickness and pain, we face separation and loss, we struggle with brokenness and fear, we are confronted with hatred and injustice. We still deal with sin.

And through all of that, Jesus continues to be with us and to bear our wounds, and to give us hope.

Every time we find the strength to fight through sickness and pain, the courage not to give in to fear and despair, the grace to give and forgive, the love to overcome bitterness and betrayal, the confidence to face the future with hope - all because of Christ; that my friends is evidence of resurrection taking place.

We are at the start of spring; the birds are beginning to sing, the trees are beginning to bud, and the flowers are starting to bloom. But we are able to appreciate the warmth and life and newness of spring because it stands in such sharp contrast to winter with its cold and sometimes miserable days, when so much of life laid dormant.

In the same way, we can discern resurrection; we can understand and appreciate and anticipate resurrection because it brings newness and hope to our lives of brokenness and despair. It can be seen in the midst of our woundedness; for there is where we encounter Christ, the wounded healer, who calls and commissions us to be wounded healers as well.

The resurrected Christ - still bearing his wounds - tells us that resurrection is not about escaping from life with its brokenness, it is about walking in the power of God’s love, a love from which nothing can separate us, not even death.

That is the hope of the resurrection. May that hope continue to paint our future in every possible way, as Christ continues to meet us in our brokenness and renew us!

Thanks be to God.