Sermon | Sunday, April 18, 2021 | Christ Among Us

I have been thinking a lot about fears and trauma this past week and I'd like to point out that this is the second Sunday in a row in which we get a version of Jesus's appearance to the disciples after his resurrection. We've heard this story before. We’ve also heard other stories repeated in the news this week.

There were more mass shootings this week... There were more reports of unarmed black men and boys being shot and killed by police... COVID cases continue to rise in parts of our state, country, and world... I’m exhausted. And I need help. I need to be reminded of the goodness of this world and of our neighbors. I need the love of something bigger than myself, bigger than the headlines or the bodycam videos or the charts and graphs and data. 

This is when Jesus appears. In our closed off rooms, our homes, our gathering places. He says, “Peace be with you.” He asks why we are afraid. Then he shows us the scars on his body. His hands. His feet...

Returning to the scars reminds us of God’s power to bridge us from the ways of death to the ways of life. If we would but follow, forgive, and love one another. 

Returning to the headlines is our call to love our neighbors, especially those who feel unlovable.

Returning to the bodycam and phone videos of black people being shot is our call to follow those who are oppressed and experience injustice. 

Returning to the stats and data of COVID is our call to forgive and be patient, and pray for God to give us grace, and space, as we navigate this health pandemic. 

After the scars, Jesus calls us to the table of grace. To eat fish and break bread together. Jesus tells the disciples that they are now witnesses of all that God said would happen. They were witnesses to death and suffering and trauma. And now they are witnesses also of the power of God to overcome these things...