Have you ever been presented with something that was just “too good to be true”? Back in the day there were letters from Publishers Clearing House saying we’d won a million dollars! (if we bought some products and entered their sweepstakes, that is). Nowadays it’s emails from people in foreign countries promising to send us billions of dollars, or phone calls allegedly from the IRS needing to send us thousands of dollars in refunds… if we send them our bank account information!
All too good to be true! Hence the adage, “Trust but verify” – which is actually a good strategy for responding to all kinds of situation≈s when you very much want to believe something is true while you also have reasonable doubts or questions.
The love of God and the ongoing presence of Jesus are among the things we may find “too good to be true” sometimes. We’re in good company. Jesus’ first disciples struggle to understand and believe in his resurrected presence. Especially Thomas – “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put… my hand in his side, I will not believe’ (John 20:25). Thomas insists his faith rest upon more than the witness of his friends. He wants firsthand evidence. Isn’t that like us at times?
Thomas needs to “see” and understand what Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection are about before he can fully believe. So, Jesus comes and gifts him with this understanding, offering Thomas his peace, his hands, and his side. And Thomas “gets it” immediately, literally and spiritually seeing “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).
Seeing Jesus’ wounds reminds all of Jesus’ disciples of everything Jesus said about there being no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus’ death wasn’t a tragic mistake or failure, but an intentional act that embodied the fullness of God’s love for all humankind. They see this boundless love still with them, opening the way for everyone to be reconciled to God.
Our challenge still is to recognize and believe in who Jesus is, especially amidst all the distractions, suffering, injustice, and confusion in our world.
The Good News is, our loving Lord understands our doubts and questions, and gives us evidence, too. In the Scriptures we see and hear God’s Word; in the bread and wine of the Eucharist we touch and taste God’s presence; in our prayers, our worship together, our hymns and in all the symbols, sounds, smells, colors, and traditions that lift our attention and imaginations, we know God’s presence through our minds and senses; in each other’s stories and witness we hear of God’s love in action. We literally touch Jesus every time we reach out to embrace, comfort, lift up, heal or “high-five” our brothers and sisters – because he abides in all of us.
May God help us recognize Jesus’ presence in ourselves and among our neighbors, especially in places of deep fear and anxiety. May we always be ready and willing to receive his Holy Spirit and go wherever he sends us, with boldness and confidence, to share this Good News that is not “too good to be true”!
We invite and welcome all to join us for worship, Holy Communion and fellowship every Sunday at 10am. You will find a warm congregation, uplifting liturgy, and the Good News of God’s radical love shared in word and sacrament.
