John 20:19-31

The Second Sunday of Easter, April 7, 2013

Today we find ourselves at the very end of John’s gospel. OK, if you looked in your Bible this morning you would be right in correcting me by saying that there is one more chapter. But the last verses of our reading this morning certainly SOUND like an ending. Many believe the next chapter was written later and perhaps not by the same author. But for today humor me and we’ll call verses 30 and 31 the ending and save the other argument for later.

And the best part of this ending is the fact that John doesn’t end the story in the first century. In these verses the gospel writer is writing directly to us.

“These are written that YOU may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through believing YOU may have life in his name.”

YOU! That’s all of us here, and those beyond these walls who share in the promise of Jesus’ resurrection.

In these two short verses we are named as actors in the story, as in it we have followed Jesus beyond miracles and to the cross and then even further. But this isn’t the first time John places in the middle of the narrative. We’ve all heard Jesus’ words in John 17:

“I ask not only on behalf of those who have followed me, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

This isn’t just a prayer for the people of 2000 years ago; this is a prayer for the world today and tomorrow, a prayer for you and me in this time and forever more! So hear this gospel with new ears, knowing that the words and actions of Christ are for you. You have been baptized just like Christ with the Holy Spirit and for forgiveness of sins. Today, you are welcome at the Lord’s Table.  It’s all God’s gift for us.

And what are we to do? It doesn’t help to try getting a little further up the ladder than our neighbor. In fact, the further we think we have climbed the further we are from the truth! Because only in Christ do we find eternal life; not by our own merit as we could never climb high enough!

No, in all things all we are really asked to do is serve the Lord with gladness. Not that our works will ever earn us anything meaningful, but instead that our works will bring honor and light to the God of our salvation so that others will see the glory of God in this world and know the promise that is ours beyond this world.

And even though we know all that, something inside us brings us to our own doubts. Much like Thomas, we too feel that it would be so much easier to believe if we could just see God. And the funny thing is that we can, we just keep looking in the wrong places.

Because we really want to see is God sitting on a throne surrounded by pillars of fire with angels flying about caring for God’s every need. Or we might imagine seeing God beyond the pearly gates with Peter standing at the entrance with his book of who has been naughty or nice. And while these are great images are certainly helpful to some, they still leave us searching, waiting, and wondering.

Because to really see God, to see Jesus here on earth, we just have to keep our eyes open. When we keep Jesus at the front of our minds we suddenly see God everywhere:

We see God in the meetings where community comes together to enhance our life here in things such as the new library, the fire company, and even our pavilion across the street.

We see God in the neighbor who shovels our driveway without expecting anything in return.

We see God in the smiles of the people who find just what they need at our clothing drive.

We hear God in the squeals of laughter and screams of delight as children play at Ray’s Malarkey Park.

We taste God in the food we share both at the cake walks and the potlucks.

We smell God as we walk through Hickory Run State Park as the Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron blooms.

We feel God as someone offers a hug in the midst of an extremely difficult time.

And those are the images we all need to carry forward as I step away from being your pastoral leader. Because all of you have gifts of ministry within you. Some are already in full bloom while others are still waiting to be discovered and celebrated. So as the offering plate comes by this morning, don’t simply drop in your envelope and wave goodbye. Instead, also consider the other gifts God has given you that you can share either more freely than you have in the past or maybe even for the first time.

Because that is how God’s word and God’s love will flourish here in God’s church. No, not the physical building but instead a different sort of building blocks. With God as the foundation, your talents, skills, and gifts will continue to grow as you continue to share them with all those around you.

Once again, I remind you that the church is NOT this building. If a tornado came tomorrow and wiped this building out, I know the church would still exist. Because the church is all of us, both collectively and individually loving God and loving God’s people.

So as Betsy, Karl, and Olivia, and I leave, in many ways we take St. Paul’s with us. Our ministry that began here will continue several hundred miles to the west, in a colder where people find it fashionable to wear cheese on their heads, growing and advancing by the power of the Holy Spirit. And our ministry stays with you as well, the miracles we have worked together by the power of God will continue to grow and multiply as you remain faithful to the word and obey Christ’s commandments to love God and to love one another.

Remember to see God everywhere you look. Because when you do, you find just a little heaven on earth. And there is no better way to be the church.

As we are given the gift of faith that allows us to believe in things we cannot see, I leave you with my love and hope and prayers, starting with this one.

The peace of God which surpasses all human understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, now and forever. Amen and Amen.

Christ is risen!