Friday prior to Easter 2

[1]

John 20:19–31—There are two appearances by the risen Christ in Sunday’s Gospel, each bringing us a great deal of comfort. In the first, Jesus establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry, and assures us that, in the words of the catechism, ‘when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they…absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself.’

In the second appearance, our Lord appears to Thomas. Thomas wanted the certainty of seeing his risen Lord in the flesh, as the others had. When he beholds the wounds in the One who was crucified on our behalf, his faith is sure, and he confesses, ‘My Lord and My God!’ Thomas’s assurance is ours also. We need never doubt that our Lord is truly risen from the dead, ‘the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.’ (1 Corinthians 15:20)

The Savior promises peace to His disciples See John 14:27; 16:33. This peace, “which the world cannot give,” is established by the Savior’s sacrificial death in our place. In His resurrection our Lord distributes and bestows His peace to the disciples even to Thomas. The Lord’s wounds (Vv.20 and 27) are the visible tokens of His peace. Peace between God and man is now a reality. See Luke 2:14; 19:38. The peace on earth spoken at Christmas is now fully given and received on Easter. Both Christmas and Easter is nothing but pure Gospel.

Almighty God the Father, through Your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ You have overcome death and opened the gate of everlasting life to us. Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of our Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by Your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [2]–

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[1]Image of Christ appearing to St. Thomas http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Caravaggio_incredulity.jpg

[2] Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis