... enough about Thomas; I want to spend a bit of time with the other disciples. They were hiding out in a locked room, fearful of what the future held, Jesus murdered, his body missing, the religious authorities clamping down on the remnant of his movement, the Roman authorities aggressively keeping the peace. So the disciples found a home that was safe and stayed there.
This past week, the world was glued to the news of the mining explosion in West Virginia where 25 people were killed. We hoped and prayed that beyond any reasonable expectation, the missing 4 miners somehow got to a safe room where there were supplies of air, water and food. We hoped and prayed that these men made it one of these safe rooms and were waiting for their rescue. Tragically these rooms were found unused.
We all need places of safety and sanctuary, somewhere to regroup, catch our breath, collect our thoughts, and plan the next course of action. For many of us, the church represents such a haven. At its best, the church can be a place of safety and security, of assurance and acceptance, open to inspiration and comfort.
But the fact of the matter is we all need to leave at some point. Even if it is a safe room in a West Virginian mine, the reality is that we can’t stay in one forever. Eventually, we need to go out. Or wait for someone to come rescue us.
As a church, sometimes we act like we’re stuck here in this room, waiting for rescue. We look for some saviour to come, some new families that can fill some committee positions, some wealthy benefactor to pay our bills. It is safe here and it is comfortable. But that is not what our calling as followers of Christ is.
The focus of the resurrection was not supposed to be on Jesus magically popping in and out of locked rooms, bragging about his scars. It was not even supposed to be on the personal assurance of eternal life and the death of death. The resurrection shows the unstoppable nature of God’s love for us and sounds the call to share a message of hope.
With the gift of the Holy Spirit, the call is to forgive. It’s a tall order – to forgive those who punish and abuse, to clear away past wrongs, especially in that time of turmoil and persecution for the early church.
It’s amazing to think the power of forgiveness rests entirely with you – those sins you forgive will be forgiven, those you do not will be retained. It is what Jesus told his disciples. It is what he demonstrated.
... How different the scripture would be if Jesus returned bearing a grudge! But no, he brings peace and forgiveness. Life is not about revenge or repaying harm done or offering equally ill treatment. A life of faith is about offering a new beginning, a release from worry and guilt, a life without fear.
Sure it was still wise to for the disciples to be cautious of their enemies and to protect themselves. But that would be a regression to an old way of distrust and fear. Even then Jesus knew that a church hunkered down and locked into its rooms is not a church at all.
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