John 20:19-31 (2nd sermon) page 1

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You may know the story of the little girl who asks her mother, "Mummy, do all fairy stories end with 'And they all lived happily ever after'?" Mummy replies, "No, some end with 'When I became a Christian all my problems disappeared'."

The Easter season brings us in touch with another fairy story. It's the idea that everything was wonderful once Jesus had risen from the dead. But our passage today quite clearly shows that to be untrue. The disciples are behind locked doors out of fear. And they remain so, even after the first time Jesus appears in their midst. And just as those ten disciples (the Twelve minus Judas Iscariot and Thomas) are not liberated by the testimony of the women to the Resurrection, so Thomas remains unpersuaded in his militant unbelief.

No: the Resurrection hasn't magically changed everything. The disciples are still afraid. They have no purpose in life beyond trying to save their skins. And doubting Thomas won't believe a word anybody else says. Fear, failure, doubt. Not a pretty sight, is it?

And it's not that different from many churches and Christians today, is it? Trapped by fear. Disillusioned by past failures. Nagging doubts both from within and from a cynical world. Maybe even after Easter Day we find ourselves locked in our own Upper Room, still waiting for transformation and hope. What can the risen Christ do for us?

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Copyright © David D Faulkner, 2006 except where other sources are attributed or noted as inspiration.