Sermon

Today’s Gospel (John 20: 19-John 20: 19-3131))

Okbe Zemede

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church5333 St. Bernard Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122

May 12, 2013 (2nd Sunday of Easter)

The Second Sunday of Easter = The Second Sunday of Easter = ዳግማይ ትንሳኤ ዳግማይ ትንሳኤ = Thomas = Thomas Sunday= anti-pascha.Sunday= anti-pascha.

Christ is Risen!

Today’s Gospel Reading - Main Point

Christ appearance on Easter Day Christ appearance on Easter Day (John (John 20:19-23)20:19-23)

Christ appearance on 2Christ appearance on 2ndnd Sunday of Easter Sunday of Easter ((John 20:24-29John 20:24-29))

The Purpose of John’s Gospel (The Purpose of John’s Gospel (John 20:30-31John 20:30-31))

Fearing the Jewish leaders, the apostles were Fearing the Jewish leaders, the apostles were huddling behind locked doors!huddling behind locked doors!

The memory of Good Friday was still in in their The memory of Good Friday was still in in their mind (the pain, agony, crucifixion, the death of mind (the pain, agony, crucifixion, the death of Christ on the cross). They fear that as he was Christ on the cross). They fear that as he was executed, they too, can be executed.executed, they too, can be executed.

Though Mary Magdalene went to the Though Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: disciples with the news: “I have seen the “I have seen the Lord!”Lord!”   

They didn’t believe her & “they still did not They didn’t believe her & “they still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead”, rise from the dead”, V 9)V 9)

On Easter Sunday - Morning

Christ appeared to them, and said Christ appeared to them, and said ““Peace be with youPeace be with you” (3 times)” (3 times)

After that Christ showed them the After that Christ showed them the marks on his body and his side and the marks on his body and his side and the disciples disciples overjoyedoverjoyed when they saw the  when they saw the Lord.Lord.

How happy are you to see your loved How happy are you to see your loved one who has been a way? Especially If one who has been a way? Especially If that person went through so much?that person went through so much?

On Easter Sunday - Evening

The Risen Christ is our Joy & our Peace

The heart that has been agonized by the event of Good Friday is now filling with joy.The Divine peace of the Risen Christ reached their heart.The king of peace opened their mind & they began to realize that there is Resurrection after Crucifixion

The heart that has been agonized by the event of Good Friday is now filling with joy.The Divine peace of the Risen Christ reached their heart.The king of peace opened their mind & they began to realize that there is Resurrection after Crucifixion

  Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give you. I do

not give to you as the world

gives. Do not let your hearts

be troubled and do not be

afraid (John 14:27)

Let the peace of Christ

be ruling in our hearts (Col

3:15)

 For the kingdom of God

is … peace and joy in the

Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17; Mat

10:13)

  Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give you. I do

not give to you as the world

gives. Do not let your hearts

be troubled and do not be

afraid (John 14:27)

Let the peace of Christ

be ruling in our hearts (Col

3:15)

 For the kingdom of God

is … peace and joy in the

Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17; Mat

10:13)

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’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Just as a president grant an ambassador Just as a president grant an ambassador the power to represent the interest of his the power to represent the interest of his nation in a foreign land.nation in a foreign land.

On Easter Sunday - Evening

Easter is about renewal of mind & spirit

 Christ breathed onto the disciples just as God breathed life into the first man (the original creation)

The Spirit came, filled the disciples with faith rather than fear for He say, “Do not be afraid I am the first & last (Rev 1.17)

Renewed & encouraged by the power of the resurrection, they began to witness His Resurrection.

 Christ breathed onto the disciples just as God breathed life into the first man (the original creation)

The Spirit came, filled the disciples with faith rather than fear for He say, “Do not be afraid I am the first & last (Rev 1.17)

Renewed & encouraged by the power of the resurrection, they began to witness His Resurrection.

The coming of the Holy Spirit is like rising to life from the death. Easter is the birthday of the Church (individually & Collectively) Easter is about being filled with the breath of God and understand more the will of God.

The coming of the Holy Spirit is like rising to life from the death. Easter is the birthday of the Church (individually & Collectively) Easter is about being filled with the breath of God and understand more the will of God.

The Second Sunday of Easter

Thomas was not with the apostles on Easter-Thomas was not with the apostles on Easter-day and when the disciples told him, “day and when the disciples told him, “We We have seen the Lord!”, have seen the Lord!”, he, seeking evidence, he, seeking evidence, refuses to believe that Christ is risen (wants refuses to believe that Christ is risen (wants to see &touch).to see &touch).

Christ appeared to them, again (in the same Christ appeared to them, again (in the same way…) and showed Thomas His marks and way…) and showed Thomas His marks and told him “told him “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas replied, “Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”My Lord and my God!”

Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas

Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas

 This encounter was a turning point for ThomasThomas began to look up with the eyes of faith & deeper understanding Christ touched Thomas’ heart and Thomas says “My Lord and my God!” Remember St. Paul, Struck by Christ’s Light, changed forever (his deed, perception, name from Saul of Tarsus to ST. PAUL

 This encounter was a turning point for ThomasThomas began to look up with the eyes of faith & deeper understanding Christ touched Thomas’ heart and Thomas says “My Lord and my God!” Remember St. Paul, Struck by Christ’s Light, changed forever (his deed, perception, name from Saul of Tarsus to ST. PAUL

Christ wants us to open the gate of our heart Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Rev 3:20)

Christ wants us to open the gate of our heart Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Rev 3:20)

Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas

 Though Thomas was relying only on evidence, when he saw the Risen Christ, he trusted, surrendered and believed. Christ told him “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.”

 Though Thomas was relying only on evidence, when he saw the Risen Christ, he trusted, surrendered and believed. Christ told him “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.”

Faith is another (6th) sense for Christians "for without faith we cannot come to God”. When we Trust in Him, surrender, believe, we receive joy that cannot come from anything else. Those who haven’t seen Christ’s physical wounds and yet believe, are called “..blessed”

Faith is another (6th) sense for Christians "for without faith we cannot come to God”. When we Trust in Him, surrender, believe, we receive joy that cannot come from anything else. Those who haven’t seen Christ’s physical wounds and yet believe, are called “..blessed”

Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas

Out of a true repentance Thomas cries out "My Lord and My God" (Jon 20:28).Those wonderful words of Thomas, "My Lord and My God” have become personal prayers for many Christians today. Through God’s mercy, Thomas became a role model Apostle.

Out of a true repentance Thomas cries out "My Lord and My God" (Jon 20:28).Those wonderful words of Thomas, "My Lord and My God” have become personal prayers for many Christians today. Through God’s mercy, Thomas became a role model Apostle.

We are invited to approach the throne of Mercy and cry out with ThomasLet us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16)

We are invited to approach the throne of Mercy and cry out with ThomasLet us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16)

Glory Be To God Forever, Amen!