A sermon preached at the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford, Connecticut April 11, 2010
(c) 2010 by The Rev. Dr. Joan M. Saniuk
Text: John 20:19-31
This morning’s gospel tells about Jesus’ second appearance to his disciples after the Resurrection. We usually refer to this pericope as the story of “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas is the one holdout among the disciples who refuses to believe in the Resurrection just on the word of the others. I need to see it for myself, he says. Thomas needs to see and touch Jesus’ raised body before he will believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead. And lo and behold, Jesus gives Thomas that opportunity!
The usual interpretation of this story has Jesus scolding Thomas for his lack of faith. Jesus says, “You believe because you have seen. Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed.”
