24th April 2022 (Second Sunday of Easter)
Title: We are Witnesses
(Acts 5:27–32 & John 20:19–31)
By Heeyoung Lim
Acts 5:27–32 begins with Peter and the apostles brought to court for breaking the orders not to proclaim Jesus Christ risen. What moved the apostles to move forward from the uncertainty of the upper room to the confidence of preaching the risen Christ against the Sanhedrin’s orders? The steady growth through the retelling of the story of Jesus is perhaps a reason for their increased confidence. As confidence builds through its retelling and growing, the apostles trust it more and more, which leads them to stand against the authorities. The most important message that must always be conveyed, which does not change over the years, is still Jesus. But in this changing and unstable world, what other messages do we need to convey along with the words to believe in the Lord?
This week’s readings call us to be bold and courageous in speaking of faith and justice. Unfortunately, we still and often hear about war and violence with tragic results. We cannot remain silent in the face of such harm and violence. Tomorrow is ANZAC Day. It is a day designated for remembering and celebrating the sacrifice and loss of the young men and women who protect other people’s freedom. Just as soldiers maintained their faithfulness to that battle, may we maintain faithfulness to our faith in Jesus and the call to that lifestyle he commands us to live. Faithfulness requires discernment, wisdom, and risk.
We are thankful that we can hear this wonderful record of the courage of the early Christians and sacrificial soldiers. May we find where we might find ourselves speaking up and speaking out in accordance with God’s will. I pray that our faith community’s witness is strengthened through worshipping, learning, and serving together. May we proclaim the gospel in words and deeds without concern for the inconvenience or fear our witness might bring.
This story is repeated and continued around the world as persecuted believers speak out about their faith. It offers an account of real boldness that also speaks into situations of our time: sensitive and inconvenient issues, abuse, prejudice, discrimination, and injustice. Today’s text is a story of a faith community where the faithful few speak out on the side of truth and faith and justice in Christ. For the faith community today, where does that boldness come from? What gives Peter confidence to speak so boldly? What does the word “witness” mean to us?
Christians do not respond with violence when they obey God and work for the Lord. Peter makes no excuses, only testifies as a witness, and offers a message of salvation to even those who killed Jesus. In verses 30-32, there are messages of repentance and forgiveness of sins offered to Israel. There is a free offer of salvation to those who believe. Peter and the apostles are all witnesses, and we are witnesses in the Holy Spirit. May we notice the Spirit comes as God’s gift to those who believe and obey Jesus.
How can we believe today? In John 20:19–31, Thomas needs to witness something to witness, and Jesus meets him in that need. Our call as a faith community is to grow in the story and to witness to what we know. In the repeated retelling of the Resurrection, there is a time when the fear moves over, and confidence begins. May we be sent out in that confidence, where we rest on the authority of the faith rather than of the world and become “witnesses to Risen Christ and His presence.”
In today’s readings, out of fear, the disciples hide in a locked room. In the first group appearance, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” He brought peace to his disciples. In John 16, He had promised to relieve the disciples’ grief by replacing it with joy, and now He fulfilled that promise. Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” He continues to say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Now he sends his people out to witness. Many theologians believe this reception of the Holy Spirit was temporary for the next fifty days which is the season of Easter before Pentecost. Jesus gave them peace, mission as witnesses, and the Holy Spirit. The disciples had their learning and growing times with resurrected Jesus between the resurrection and the ascension. As a temporary filling of the Spirit was given by Risen Christ to them for their spiritual needs prior to Pentecost, Our Lord gives us what we need when we do the work he has entrusted.
Eugene Peterson has written about the “Resurrection Quartet”. He insisted each narrative is distinct with its own character, but they develop rich melodies, harmonies, and counterpoint when the four accounts are absorbed into the imagination. The four voices from four gospels become a resurrection quartet. Especially John’s gospel provides convincing evidence for dealing with doubting and questions about resurrection. John 20:31 tells us,” These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ.”
When the disciples huddle in fear on the evening of the resurrection. Jesus appears to them. He reassures them of his resurrection reality by showing them the crucifixion marks in his hands and side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. When they are again together with Thomas who had not believed the report that the others gave. Jesus makes another appearance, offering himself in tangible form. In verse 27, He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands, and put out your hand, and place it in my side.” Jesus did not scold him or condemn his hesitation. He provided him with the evidence and second chance. Only then did He say to him, “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas moved quickly from a doubting talker to willing worshiper and believer. He said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God.” Our faith in the resurrection is a true blessing.
John’s gospel is full of signs in Jesus’ life that provide self-authenticating data that He is God’s Son, the Saviour of the world. Some people do not listen to the Resurrection Quartet even though the senses of seeing, hearing, and touching are represented in the main stories John gives us. We cannot and do not need to hear all the music. But this Resurrection Quartet must be heard and passed on. Our Risen Christ is with us, and the Holy Spirit helps us do that. Witnessing Christians work with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the message of crucifixion and resurrection.
We often refer to Thomas as “Doubting Thomas”. How many of us have doubts and questions about our faith? Would we be so different from Thomas, given the circumstances? There are many ways we come to believe and understand our faith. Thomas’ need to see Jesus’ wounds and touch them was his way of encountering the risen Christ. Some of us may encounter God in creation, in loving or serving others, participation in worship, learning and meeting, or through music. What do we need to witness to believe? How can those experiences help us share the story of Jesus’ resurrection and love with others?
Christ is risen! It promises a life that has no end. May we move from a state where we lack belief to one where we believe through God’s words and much evidence even in our situations of doubting, fear, and questions. How would you like to spend the season of Easter called the great 50 or Joy of 50 days? Just as we spent the 40 days of Lent participating in the suffering of the Lord in our own ways such as worshiping, praying, doing Lenten Studies, and loving and serving others, may you spend the 50 days with the joy of walking with Risen Christ during the season of Easter. We are witnesses of Risen Christ. May we live as witnesses of the resurrection during the rest of our lives.
Our living Lord has conquered both sin and death, and Our Saviour is forever alive. I believe that we can hope despite trouble and suffering, knowing the ultimate victory is His and ours.
“The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
Thanks be to God! Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)