Give Me Some Proof!                                                   John 20:19-31

I left you last week with a question…an Easter question to ponder. Why does Easter matter to you because Easter matters when it matters to you. I hope you have taken that challenge seriously and not just taken for granted the redundant assumption and talk about Easter. When we hear about Jesus’ resurrection as merely a single day in the church calendar year we lose the effect of its impact on the church and its existence.

It has been a week since we have experienced the day and since the disciples in our gospel reading have experienced the event in their lives. Well, not all the disciples. We have one more disciple, Thomas, who needs to experience the risen Lord and he won’t be happy or convinced until he sees the marks of the nails and the spear. He needs proof that Jesus is alive! Given me some proof that the life of Jesus is an authentic existence in the world. He wants to see with his own eyes that the Way, the Truth and the Life is, in fact, living, breathing and moving in the world. And Thomas gets what he is seeking. He is shown the marks of Christ that show that all Jesus proclaimed is true.

So what can we do to prove the authentic existence of Jesus? What marks of Christ do we show to others and recognize ourselves as proof that Christ has an authentic existence in the world and our communities?

I’ll let you think on that a few seconds. What are the marks of Christ to which we can point today?

Let me add context and redefine the question. What are the marks in the Body of Christ, that is, of the church which stand out as proof that Jesus through the church has an authentic existence in the world? I might add here that thorugh these marks we prove our authentic existence in the world.

There are seven. Of course, I can’t go into full detail but can make you aware of the marks that we show to the world and our community that tell them that we have an authentic existence that is rooted in Jesus Christ and his teachings.

The marks of the church are first, the presence of the Holy Word of God. Where the Word of God is preached, in church and out of church, there the church exists. It is that word of promise from God that tells us we are loved and forgiven by God for the sake of Christ’s death and given authentic existence in his resurrection.

Second and third, the sacraments being administered according to the Scriptures. We receive Holy Baptism into the Body of Christ and there, firstly, receive authentic existence. We come to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion where we are strengthened in and for authentic living. All who have received baptism may also receive that Holy Meal offered by Jesus.

Fourth, the Office of the Keys, which we use in two ways: first, in calling one to account for their sin and forgiving if they repent, that is, change their lives; secondly, we retain the power to not forgive if they will not repent, that is not change their lives. These keys are present only when the church is in authentic existence.

Fifth, the church authentically exists where there is ministry. Not only in the form of pastors, but also in the form of apostles, evangelists, teachers and the like. It does not only happen in the building but wherever God’s people carry on the proclamation of the Gospel.

Sixth, where Prayer, Public Praise, and Thanksgiving occur, there the marks of the church exists. Wherever you see these activities occur, there is Christ’s Body the church.

Seventh, and perhaps the hardest part for us to ascend, is our bearing of the Holy Cross, that is, enduring misfortune, maybe persecution, and rejection by others for the sake of our faith. Within these times the Holy Spirit is at work sanctifying us, making us holy and blesses us in faith. We need remember that often this suffering comes in our sharing in the cross of others where we also share the Word of God and invite them into an authentic existence in Christ.

These are the marks that other of weaker faith seek in ascertaining that the church is authentically alive, breathing and moving in the world. It is through these marks of the church, the Body of Christ, that others might join Thomas in getting their request for proof and come to the point to join him and us in saying, “My Lord and my God!, believe in Jesus Christ, and through believing may have life in his name.  May we all display Christ’s marks in our lives to the world.

Amen.