“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!” 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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20;26-29
One caption for the attached photo could be “Are you sure?” Thomas may have said something like that when he first heard that Jesus was alive and replied to the other disciples he would not believe until he has seen and touched the wounds on Jesus hands and side. There are most certainly relatives of this Haitian school children who would respond to hearing about a risen Jesus with “no…I don’t believe you.” All that many of them have ever been told is what the powerful vodou priest has told them; Jesus died on the cross and is still dead; satan defeated the son of god. We give thanks that these children are in a Lutheran school in Haiti and they are learning in their own language that the tomb is empty and Jesus Christ has risen from the dead; they have not physically seen Him but believe and are blessed. These children and you and I are a part of sharing that message in Haiti and also here along our own journey. We are blessed because He is Risen! I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘I Am Content! My Jesus Liveth Still’ that were written by Johann J. Moeller in 1704.
“I am content! My Jesus liveth still, in whom my heart is pleased. He hath fulfilled the Law of God for me, God's wrath He hath appeased. Since He in death could perish never, I also shall not die forever. I am content! I am content! My Jesus is my Head; His member I will be. He bowed His head when on the cross He died with cries of agony. Now death is brought into subjection for me, too, by His resurrection. I am content! I am content! My Jesus is my Lord, my Prince of Life and Peace; His heart is yearning for my future bliss and for my soul's release. The home where He, my Master, liveth He also to His servant giveth.
I am content! I am content! My Jesus is my Light, my radiant Sun of Grace. His cheering rays beam blessings forth for all, sweet comfort, hope, and peace. This Easter sun doth bring salvation and everlasting exultation. I am content! I am content! Lord, draw me unto Thee and wake me from the dead the fetters of my body sever, then shall my soul rejoice forever. I am content!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
In Him
Jay