The Second Sunday of Easter, April 18, 2004

Acts 5:12a,17-22,25-29 or Job 42:1-6; Psalm 111 or 118:19-24; Rev. 1:(1-8)9-19 or Acts 5:12a,17-22,25-29; John 20:19-31

There are two levels of seeing in today’s lessons: seeing with the eyes and seeing with the heart. In the lesson from Acts, seeing with the heart is the issue. The lesson begins with the statement that “many signs and wonders were done among the people through the apostles” (Acts 5:12a); yet “the high priest” and “all who were with him… being filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles” (5:17-18). At the end, these authorities are outraged that the apostles had violated their “strict orders not to teach in this name” (5:28). Even though they can see the “signs and wonders” with their eyes, they cannot fathom that the works are evidence of the truth of what the apostles preach, and conclude only that the apostles “are determined to bring this man’s blood upon us” (5:28) — which is, of course, where “that man’s blood” is. Jesus’ blood is on them for guilt, but also, if only they can truly “see” it, for forgiveness. But they cannot or will not see.

The lesson from Job presents Job’s words to the Lord at the climax of the book. Now that his eye sees the Lord, Job repents of his former brashness—truth though most of it was. His “seeing with the eye” leads him to see clearly with his heart.

The lesson from Revelation evokes a similar response from John, who is overwhelmed with the vision of Jesus in glory. The magnificent vision is only a prelude to the marvelous and comforting message the risen Lord conveys through John to the seven churches. Here, seeing with the heart first enables John, when he sees with the eyes also, to respond in obedience as an active instrument of the Lord.

The lessons culminate with the account of Thomas, the last apostle to see Jesus risen. Thomas had great faith of the heart throughout the time of Jesus’ ministry — the appearance of Jesus to him released an inspiring exclamation of faith. In this case, heart vision was deepened and released by vision of the eye. In conclusion, Jesus sums up all this teaching by calling “blessed” those who do not see and yet come to believe — this describes every believer there ever has been or will be, save for the very few of the first generation who saw him with their eyes. Seeing with the heart is clearly the primary means by which belief is intended to come.

Look It Up

According to the lesson from Revelation, who is the Lord of Death and Hades? (Rev. 1:18)

Think About It

Thomas is often thought less of for having “doubted” that Jesus was risen until he had seen him. Yet of all the followers of Jesus, did any believe before seeing him? What makes Thomas different from all the others?

Next Sunday

The Third Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2004

Acts 9:1-19a or Jer. 32:36-41; Psalm 33 or 33:1-11; Rev. 5:6-14 or Acts 9:1-19a; John 21:1-14