Discipleship & Thomas

John 20:19-29

When you hear the word, "Disciple," what comes to mind?

In the most general terms, a disciple is one who studies and follows the teachings of someone else.  It could be an individual person or group, or even an idea or philosophy.

We find 12 named disciples in the Bible, but there were many others--people of all sizes, shapes, colors, backgrounds--men and women, too, who studied and followed the teachings of Jesus.  We are Jesus' disciples today, even though we've never met Jesus in the same way that Peter, James, John, Mary Magdalene and Thomas did.  As Christians, we study and do our best to follow the teachings of Jesus, which makes us his disciples.  

After Jesus' death and resurrection, he appeared to the disciples who followed him around for three years, listening, watching and learning from him.  He showed Thomas the scars on his hands and side, and Thomas believed that Jesus was alive once again.  Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes.  Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."  (The Message)

Jesus was talking about people like you, and like me, when he said those words--words which have been true for nearly 2,000 years!  We haven't stood face-to-face with Jesus, but by God's grace we are blessed with faith and friendship through His Church.

AMEN.

Palm Sunday

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES              

John 12:12-27

Have you ever heard the expression, "What a difference a day makes?"  It is often used when talking about a sudden change in the weather--like when one day it's sunny and warm.  You're outside, riding your bike, playing ball, maybe even swimming at the beach or pool.  Then the next day you wake up and it's super cold and miserable--maybe it's even snowing!  That's when someone might say, "Wow!  What a difference a day makes!"

Toward the end of Jesus' life, he went back to the city of Jerusalem to celebrate a festival called "Passover" with his disciples.  Celebrating the Passover Feast in Jerusalem was a big deal, so there were lots of visitors in town.  Jesus was becoming known in Judea as someone special.  He healed a blind man.  He provided lunch for a huge crowd from only a small amount of food.  He even brought a man who had died back to life.  So when Jesus approached the city gate, news spread fast that this amazing rabbi was coming, and the crowd got super excited!  They tore branches from the trees and waved them as Jesus approached.  They were so happy to see Jesus, they shouted, "Hosanna!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord--the King of the Jews!" 

But their happiness did not last for long.  By the end of the week, the mood had changed.  Jesus was arrested, and Pilate, the Roman governor, asked the crowd, "What should I do with Jesus, the King of the Jews?"  This time they shouted, "Crucify him!  We have no king but Caesar!"  

What a difference a week makes!  This was a very sad time for Jesus, but it is not the end of the story.  Come back next week, and I will tell you the exciting, and happy, ending.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, Sometimes our feelings are changeable, like the weather.  Help our love for you to be constant, even when other things in our lives are not always the same.  Amen.