As we continue our 7-Week Celebration of Easter, this Sunday’s Gospel is the account of Jesus’ appearance to the disciples on Easter eve and then again a week after Easter. Jesus appeared to all the disciples and promised peace. He appeared to Thomas to take away his doubts and give him peace too.
Then Jesus told His disciples that He was sending them out to proclaim the peace the risen Lord had given them. In two of our lessons, we hear Peter professing the hope that he has in order to give peace to others. Jesus didn’t reject Thomas. He loved him. He cared for him. He took away his doubts. Jesus doesn’t reject us in our weaknesses. Rather He came to strengthen us and give us peace just as He did for His first disciples. He came to take away our doubts as much as He came to help Thomas. May the Word of the risen Lord strengthen your faith today and give you peace!
We’ll consider our Gospel in the sermon under the theme: “Peace Be with You!”
This Sunday, our readings are:
Acts 2:14a,22–32
1 Peter 1:3–9
John 20:19–31 (sermon text)