The Third Sunday of Easter

In their Joy, Disbelieving
Luke  24:36b-48

Evidently a notable preacher of Scotland began his Easter sermon in 1988 with these words:

“You know, the disciples didn’t believe it either…”

The resurrection, that is.

He said to his congregation that Easter Sunday: You know, the disciples didn’t believe it either.

The sermon made quite an impression on a young pastoral assistant named Michael Jinkins, who now serves 25 years later as president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary here in the US. At the time he was a graduate student in theology in Aberdeen and he was struggling with his own profound doubts.

You who are gathered here in worship this day: Did you really listen to Luke’s Gospel read this morning?

Jesus tends to dominate the story. It is another post-resurrection appearance. As Luke tells it, it is still Easter Day, presumably later in the evening. Some of the disciples, three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, have given up and headed for home. On their way towards home two of them, Cleopas and a companion, have seen Jesus. The resurrected Jesus has appeared to them on the road and in the breaking of the bread. And they have rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others.

And that is where today’s reading begins. Cleopas and his companion join the others who are there, huddled together, frightened and confused. And Jesus comes to them.

Jesus is the main character, but focus for now on what Luke tells us about the disciples.

They were startled and terrified. (Note that Luke does not report that they were relieved or exultant). Not one is reported to have said to Jesus, “I knew it. I knew you were coming back.” Not one of Jesus’ disciples turned to the one next to him and said, “I told you so. I knew he was coming back.” They were startled and terrified.

And Jesus says to them: Why are you frightened and why do doubts arise in your hearts? In the presence of Jesus they felt fear and doubt.

As the wise Scottish preacher said: The disciples didn’t believe it either.

The story progresses and Jesus spends time with his disciples, helping them understand. He has “flesh and bones.”  He shows them the wounds on his hands and feet. But even after all that, Luke says “In their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering.”

Joy and disbelief can coexist.

That seems to me to be a very, very important message of this Gospel reading. Joy and disbelief can dwell in the human heart at the same time. Even in followers of Jesus. Joy and disbelief can coexist in the hearts of Jesus’ disciples.

As he reflects on that sermon he heard many years ago, Michael Jinkins goes on to say, “It is appropriate that belief issues forth from doubt. At the very least, belief and doubt are not opposites. They are intimately related responses in those who are actually paying attention to the amazing acts of God among us.”

Belief and doubt are not either/or. They are not in opposition to one another. Belief and doubt are intertwined, intimately related responses to people who are paying attention to the amazing acts of God among us.

In the Bible I mostly use at home today’s verses from Luke and the few more that follow before the end of the Gospel are titled “The Commissioning of the Disciples.” Not to put too much stock in the words of 20th century editors, and that is all that this title is…  Jesus appeared to this huddle of frightened, confused, disbelieving disciples. Jesus came to them in the midst of their fear, confusion and doubt. Jesus came to them and sent them out to spread the Good News, to witness to God’s love and power as revealed in Christ. And they did. They did. This frightened, confused, still disbelieving group of disciples witnessed to the power of the resurrection. We wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t.

So what does this mean for us?

Being a Christian does not require bombastic certainty or even polite doubtlessness, however how polite.

Being an apostle and witness to the faith does not require unswerving confidence and lack of fear.
Just look at Jesus’ own disciples.

The Christian life involves doubt and belief, terror and joy. It’s right there in Luke. While in their joy they were still disbelieving and wondering.

The Christian journey will lead us ultimately and certainly to God. Over time the disciples grew in their faith and their awareness of Jesus’ resurrected presence with them. But it takes time. It takes an accumulation of experiences of God’s awesome presence with us. The amazing acts of God continue in our midst.  This week I was part of a meeting of Deans in the Diocese of Chicago.  Our check-in question was "Where did you see Jesus this Holy Week and Easter?"  We all had ready answers.  The amazing acts of God continue in our midst.

The Christian journey is less about affirming belief—affirming acceptance of a set of particular beliefs—and more about paying attention (especially when Jesus shows up). Life as a Christian is less about affirming belief and more about paying attention to the wondrous acts of God in our lives.

The Christian life is less about some certainty of faith and more about openness and alertness to what continues to be revealed in our lives today. Be open and alert to what God is continuing to reveal in our lives today. Pay attention to the amazing acts of God among us.

(For much of the perspective of this sermon I am indebted to Michael Jinkins and his sermon for this day presented as "Living by the Word" in the Christian Century, April 18, 2012.)