A New Birthing of Hope

After presenting the New Testament scripture for today from John 20:19-32, Pastor Barbara Moyer Lehman acknowledged that sometimes the Sunday after Easter can seem like a let down following the great celebration of Easter Sunday. We have a "mountain-top" experience, but Easter Monday dawns as another ordinary day with the same problems in the world very evident. One might ask, "What difference does the resurrection make?" But Jesus is the resurrection and the LIFE! In Jesus' self-disclosure to the disciples in John 20, he showed how he fulfilled all of his promises made before his death. Jesus offers peace to his disciples. He removes their fears and he gives to them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Even in the midst of Jesus' re-appearing, we hear of the doubt that Thomas expresses. Pastor Barbara said that doubt is normal. We all relate to Thomas because we also have doubt. Jesus invites us to let go of our doubts, let go of our need for certainty. We are to embrace mystery and live in the hope of the resurrection. And we can look for signs of hope around us now!