The Vine: April 8, 2024

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “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.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, 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!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

— John 20:19-29

So where was Thomas? The disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, but Thomas was nowhere to be found. It’s understandable why they were huddled together in fear. Jesus had just been crucified and for all they knew they could have been next. There are all sorts of options as to why Thomas was not with them. Perhaps he was grieving in such a way that he needed some time alone. Everyone grieves differently. Some find comfort in community after an immediate loss, while others want to be alone. Or maybe Thomas couldn’t remain in the presence of anxiety and fear among the other disciples, and just needed to get away. Whatever the reason, he wasn’t present when Jesus came and stood among the disciples.

Thomas has often been referred to as “Doubting Thomas”. He received that nickname due to his reaction upon hearing that Jesus had appeared to his fellow disciples. 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.” Who among us could blame Thomas for his response? Instead of being known as “Doubting Thomas”, perhaps his nickname should be “Honest Thomas” because he was completely honest in his response. Ultimately, his nickname could easily be “Believing Thomas” because that is exactly what he did when given the same opportunity as the other disciples to see Jesus up close and personal.

Believing is a significant concept in John’s Gospel. Mark uses the word “believing” thirteen times in his Gospel, while John uses it over ninety times, and in John’s Gospel it is always a verb. In her sermon, “Believing Thomas”, Barbara Brown Taylor wrote: “To believe is to trust what God has done in Christ, and to act as if it were true. To believe is to wash another’s feet. To believe is to abide in love. To believe is to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is not interested in what we think or feel. Jesus is interested in how we act.”

Towards the end of our text for today, Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” I think Jesus added that last part for people like you and me. All of us have the opportunity to believe in God, and in our United Methodist tradition our concept of God is the trinitarian God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This God is an active part of our lives. We should remember today that believing is much more than an intellectual exercise. It is believing with our lives and taking seriously what Jesus said to his disciples in John 13:34-35: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Questions for Reflection

The disciples were locked behind closed doors in fear. How might fear affect our faith and willingness to believe in something extraordinary?

Doubt is normal when it comes to faith. Jesus didn’t reprimand Thomas for having his doubts, but instead offered him what he requested – an opportunity to see Jesus and touch his scars. How patient are you with your own doubts? How can we give others space and room to question matters of faith? Who has been that person for you in your faith journey?

John used the word “believe” as a verb. What would others think you “believe” based on your actions? In whom would they think you believe? In the end – believing is loving.

Prayer:

“Loving God, thank you for the gift of today and each other. We want to be faithful followers of Christ and believe not just with our minds, but also with our actions. You have called us to love one another just as you have loved us. Help us to do that today in our families, workplaces, and communities. We believe in the power of your Resurrection and that all things are possible. Amen.”

In Christ,

Brad

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