The Risen Christ’s Words
John 20:19-29
April 23, 2006

The Rev. Kong Namkung

The risen Christ said few words and few actions in today’s scripture lesson.  I do believe that the risen Christ’s words and actions are very important for us. So this morning I will exegete the scripture and apply it into us, who live a very complicated world, and who live in morally and ethically corrupted society, and who have a logical thinking and scientific methods. 

I.                    The first words that the risen Christ Jesus says to his disciples are, “Peace be with you!”    

The disciples were not trustworthy and faithful to their Lord and Master.  Even one of them betrayed Him, and most of them were abandoned him.

1. They did not understand what it meant to suffer and die and rise from the dead, even though they spent 3 years with Jesus Christ. (Mark 8:31-33- Peter denied what Jesus said, 9:30-37 the disciples argued with one another who is the greatest among them, 10:32-45, the mother of James and John asked Jesus to put her sons one on his right hand and the other on his left hand)    Peter, the disciples and the mother did not understand what it meant to die and be raised from the dead.   

I want to myself in this situation.  I have been here two years, some of you do not know what my heart has for you and acting like a child, or rebellious teenager, sometimes that breaks my heart.  In Korean culture, parents spank their children because the parents want them to learn something good. If a child does not understand the heart of his parents, he just cries for the pain on his bottom.  But if he understands the hearts of the parents, who have more pain in their hearts, he should change his attitude.   

2. They saw his miracles- calmed the storm, gave a sight to the blind, lame to walk again, lepers were healed, even gave a new life to the dead, in fact they saw three times that Jesus gave a new life to the dead in the gospel, but they did not believe Jesus rose from the dead and he is the resurrection and life (John 11:24)

3. When Jesus was in agony at the garden of Gethsemane, they slept.

They were like the people at ICU who received a message from a doctor that their loved is at the point of death and did not care about the loving one is dying, but falling asleep.

4. All of them left him even though they said, “we will die with you.”

Mark14:31, “But they said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.”  

Mark 14: 51, “A certain young man was flowing him wearing nothing but a linen cloth and they caught hold of him, but the left the linen cloth and ran off naked.” 

5. They did not go to Galilee.

Even though Jesus told them saying,  “After I am raise up, I will go before you to Galilee.’  (Mark 14:28) the disciples did not remember what Jesus said to them or could not believe what Jesus said to them.  Their unbelief caused them not to go Galilee. 

6. Now they are in a great fear.

“The disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews.”  (John 20:19)  Fear is lack of faith.

Jesus did not ask his disciples why they left him alone, nor did he blame on their unfaithfulness, and he did not blame on their fearful hearts.

I was invited to a 4 years old boy’s birthday party.  We lit the candle and sang happy birthday.  When it came to a time to blow the candle out, his mother, who had a full of joy and cheerful spirit, put un-extinguishable candles.  He blew it once, it came back, and he did it again, they came back, and he blew harder, but it came back, his mother and others said, “Blow hard, Mike!”  Mike blew really hard and his saliva was on all over the cake.  While his mother laughed, others had to make a decision that they wanted to eat the cake or not.  With respect the mother gave me a big piece of cake and I took it and ate with grateful heart and thankfulness. 

There are people here this morning like Mike.  You tired hard to blow the candles but in the process you spit all over the cake.  You may even think Jesus is going to say to you, “Shame, shame.”  But listen carefully and hear him speak to you this morning.  “Peace be with you.”  “Peace to you!”  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled.”  (John 14:27.” Because “I am the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Have you lied many times?  Have you done wrong morally and ethically in the light of the word of God?  Have you done your responsibilities as a father or a mother, teaching your children, leading them, guiding them, and nurturing them?  Have you denied Jesus last week?  Have you left without your discipleship last week?  Or have you cheated your spouse or income tax?  Have you cursed? Have you intentionally or un-intentionally hurt other Christians? 

In spite of our shortcomings, our faults, our mistakes, our trespasses, our sins, Jesus says to us today and right now, “Peace be with you!”  Do you hear his voice, “peace be with you!”  Can you hear it, “Peace be with you!” 

II.                 Jesus showed his disciples his hands and side

I have countless scars.  All of us have scars.  I have a scar in my forehead, under my nose, and under my chin.  Each time I saw these scars, I remember what happened to me and why I have these scars. 

Do you remember the movie, Jaws?  There men are out at sea searching for the man eating great White Shark.  During a lull in their search, they find themselves sharing coffee and sharing horror stories.  Each one has scars and each one tries to one up each other.  One of the characters has scars from the war, another has scars from a previous shark attack.  The character played by Richard Dreyfus rips open his shirt and points to his chest without speaking a word.  Another man asks, “What bypass surgery?”  “No answers Dreyfus, “Betty Sue, 7^th grade. She broke my heart.” 

What does it mean to have scars?  It reminds me of my past.  What do Jesus’ scars, nailed hands and side, mean?

1.                  It serves as proof of the Resurrection

Thomas was not there when Jesus came to his disciples.  The disciples told him about his resurrection.  He could not believe unless he touched the risen Christ’ hands and side.  What he said, “I want to touch the scars of the nail and spear.”  Thomas was seeking for evidence.  For him Jesus’ scars were the proof of the Resurrection.  After he touched Jesus’ scars, Thomas confessed his faith, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) This is the last confession of faith in the gospel of John.  I want to remember that it comes from doubting Thomas.  When God made sure that people served as witness.  Actual witnesses who saw with their own eye and felt with their own hands.  It was important that there would be people like Thomas who could express doubt and demand evidence, and once confronted with that evidence, believe.

2.            It serves as a reminder of the humanity of Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 53: 3- 7, He was despised and rejected by God – we are welcomed

Sins - forgiveness

                                    Wounded and punished – whole

Bruises- healed
Oppressed- freedom

Those scars remind us that Jesus remain s human, just as he remains divine. 

3.               It serves as a symbol of love

“God’s love was revealed among us in this way’ God sent his only Son into the word so that we might live through him.  In this love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”  (1 John 4:9-10) 

A little boy asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?”  Jesus opened his arms and stretched his arms all the ways and “I love you this much!’ and he died.

“Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words.”  (John 14:23)

III.               “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (John 20: 29)

One of TV commercials, Master Card, talks about “Priceless.” 

The main idea of this TV commercial is “There are some thins that money cannot buy, but everything else, there is Master Card.”

There are some things that money cannot buy.  Master Card cannot buy salvation, cannot wash away your sin, cannot make you whole again.

Priceless things for Christian’s  life

1.      The Resurrection – Easter is death’s death  “Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where O death, is your victory, where, O death, is your sting. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 15:55-56)

2.      Believing the Resurrection- We are here because we believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and when we die, we will be raised again and be with the Lord forever and ever.

3.      Remembering the Resurrection- we are more than conquerors, a child of the King, heirs of the Kingdom of God, and Jesus is with us always.

4.      Re-assuring the Resurrection.  John 12: 32, “I, When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Back to Sermons

John 20:19-29

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  NIV

Back To Top

   Print This Page  | Bookmark This Site!  | Email a Friend!  |  E-Cards

Questions, suggestions and problems concerning the Cornerstone United Methodist Church Website should be directed toward the Cornerstone Webmaster at: webmaster@cornerstoneumconline.com

This Website Has Been Visited

Since Beginning Operation.
Thanks for Stopping By!