Theme Doubts
Verses- John 20:19-24
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
Doubting Others
This past month I was told a story by a lady who was convinced that her car was stolen but the Lord returned it. She explained there was spiritual warfare going on and when she prayed the demons were not as powerful as the angels so God's forces stopped the robbers and caused them to return the car to a different place in the large parking lot.
I had my doubts.
The facts were- It was a very large parking lot with many doors surrounding the building. When I went to my car I went to the wrong parking lot and Judi thought it was in one place I thought it was in another. When this lady reported her car stolen she as convinced she parked near a particular door. When the security found her car it was parked in a different parking lot. They fact the car was also locked and not damaged and nothing taken from the car didn't made sense that would be something robbers would do if they left the car and took off.
I could nether confirm nor deny her story. But I doubted it. It was not important that I be convinced that she forget where she parked or not.
Unfortunately, I have heard many stories that seem odd. UFOs, miracles, dreams, visions, prophecies that people claim are from God.
I only know what I have experienced. I do not know what others have experienced but there is no reason why I should or should not believe most of the stories. So I doubt. Maybe. Maybe not. There are people who want to perpetuate a hoax. Others are convinced they are singled out by God or Satan in a special way. The only basis for knowing truth and revelation is the Scriptures. If it doesn’t match then it is not of God.
So when most Europeans deny the reality of a Virgin Birth. I understand their doubting of miracle. When most Europeans deny the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I understand outright skepticism. When something goes contrary to natural causes, experiences, or explanation it is probably wise to doubt than believe lies, hoaxes or imaginary explainations. It is appropriate to check out the facts and come to one’s own conclusions.
When Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples some things were already anticiapted. Jesus had spoken of the resurrection before He died, which is why the Jews wanted the tomb sealed and guards around it. They suspected, not that he would get up from the dead, but that the disciples would steal the body and say he arose. So the talk of resurrection was discussed.
Mary saw the tomb empty and assumed someone stole the body. Peter and John raced to the tomb and the evidence was more than they expected. The tomb was not empty. It had no body but it did have grave clothes. Why would someone unwrap the body if they were going to steal it? Wouldn’t it seem reasonable to just take the whole wrapped body? But the clothes were empty and the face cloth neatly folded. It is unlikely a grave robber would take the time to fold up a face napkin just like it would be unlikely for a car robber to relock the car after he left. But after the disciples saw the empty clothes. verse 8 declares they believed.
So now the evidence for the resurrection was mounting. At least two disciples already believed. When Mary returned from encountering the risen Lord she told them her story. Their hopes were high. They were waiting in the upper room wondering what they should do when Jesus suddenly appeared.
“Peace be with you” was spoken first by Jesus after his resurrection. He is the fulfillment of peace from the fear of death. Certainly the emotion of the room was joy when He proved to them by showing the nail prints and scars that it was indeed Jesus, Himself, standing there. Those scars were proof. Now this victory power was to be in them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was on a mission sent by His Father and these men were to receive a mission now sent by Jesus to tell the world of His victory over Satan, sin and death. It is good news. It is based on the resurrection.
Certainly space does not allow for a complete discussion of the confusion of vs. 23. What does it mean to forgive sins, receive the Holy Spirit given to the apostles? I do not believe this was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which came at Pentecost. Since only God can forgive since I do not believe this is granted as the Roman Catholic church teaches confession and forgiveness by church appointed priests or pastors. I believe Jesus gave a special authority to the apostles and disciples present. First to carry out the temporary work of salvation until Pentecost. Secondly to grant to church leaders the authority for church discipline as also discussed in Matthew 18. With this authority, church discipline could be maintained whether positive or negative. With it, the disciples could forgive certain consequences of sin.
Unlike the emphasis on individualistic Christian, too many minimize God’s plan for the local congregation that has a place in God’s administration of witness, work and the use of gifts.
Pastor Dale
