Whatever It Takes 30 March 2008

John 20:19-31Easter 2
Sunday, 30 March 2008

This is the season known as March Madness, when 64 college basketball teams vie for the honor of meeting in the Final Four and then in the national championship game. The excitement of this part of the season exists in the fact that everything is on the line in each game. If you lose, you're out. And nobody wants to be out. Consequently, the players play with exceptional heart and energy, bringing everything they can muster during each individual game,putting their bodies on the line, and doing whatever it takes to bring home the victory.

By now, we know that Jesus' commitment to providing eternal life for humans is limitless. In his Crucifixion he demonstrated that there was nothing he would not do to secure our victory. Having vanquished death by his Resurrection, Jesus appeared his disciples, showed himself alive, and imparted victorious living to them by breathing on them. There was just one problem; Thomas was not in the building. It is unclear where Thomas was, but in his absence he had missed the main event. When told about the time of rejoicing that the disciples had when they saw the Lord, Thomas was unconvinced. He needed to see and experience for himself. The amazing thing is not that Thomas wanted to see for himself, but that Jesus appeared again so that Thomas could get what he needed. It was as if Jesus was saying "Whatever it takes."

Jesus knows us all well enough to know what it takes to bring us to faith and faithfulness in our walk with Christ. Just as he did with Thomas, sometimes Jesus makes return appearances even though we were the absent and/or negligent ones who missed his first performance. How many times has Jesus had to show us again, speak to us again, touch us again, heal us again, deliver us again? From A to Z, Jesus has done and continues to do whatever it takes to bring home our victory. Thanks be to God!

Sing "Victory in Jesus"

Let us pray:
Almighty God, we are amazed at the grace you constantly extend to us. Even when we should have long since been convinced to be believers, you continue to honor our request to show us again, to teach us again. We thank you that just as you did not banish Thomas or give up on him, you do not banish us or give up on us. As you have given your all for us, may we be equally committed to do whatever it takes to live in the reality of the victory that you purchased for us, through Jesus Christ our Risen Savior. Amen