Scientists have a way of deflating what we know to be true. For example, I can see you and you can see me and we all look fairly solid. Yet they tell us that we are about 66% water. No wonder people use steroids! We are all basically a glass of water with some skin around it.
Now this building looks even more secure. But scientists tell us Atoms are mostly empty space. If you put the atom in the scale of
a cathedral and the walls of the cathedral are the outer electron cloud, the nucleus would 
be the size of a fly.
So what is certain?
The picture in our worship today reminds us of the most famous landmark of certainty. And Thomas in the Bible wanted this same certainty. He was so disappointed when Jesus did not call up some miracle and avoid the crucifixion, that he refused to believe that resurrection was possible.
A lot of people share the feelings of Thomas a lot more than the excitement of Peter. One woman said, when my husband walked out on me, a part of me died and I thought I would never truly love again. I’d say that when my first daughter was born with Down’s Syndrome, a part of me died and I thought would never live again. I went through a time in life where I had five seconds of happiness every morning until I realized where I was. And then there are people who think about their own death more and wonder if there is still a possibility of life. I have been visiting my friend from high school in the hospital and on Friday, I simply asked him if he thought he was going to live or going to die in this round.
If your heart has leaped with a chance to think honestly and fearlessly about these questions, then you will enjoy the scriptures this morning. We will feel what Thomas felt and hear Jesus’ reply.
The great truth of the scripture today is that doubt is not just your issue to wrestle with. Even the original disciples are dealing with doubt. We are so quick to blame ourselves because our faith isn’t perfect. But in this scripture, those who doubt are the ones who were closest to Jesus. Doubting does not mean you are far away. And to those who doubt, Jesus does not accuse, he makes it easier to believe. Belief in the resurrection is not just the strength of our belief, it is also the gift of the risen Christ. [John 20:19] Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.”
Jesus goes the extra mile to calm our fears and doubt. The child’s father in Mark 9 says to Jesus ‘I believe, help my unbelief.’
Perhaps you feel that all religions are the same. They are simply various ways to approach God. There are certainly universal truths that all living faiths hold up – respect for life, concern for honesty, help to those in need. But the stumbling block of Christianity is that we claim a God who died and was raised from the dead to give victory over death. If that really happened, then the world is different. If Jesus were raised, then your hope and mine are built on more than philosophy or values. Our hope is not based on relaxation disciplines, but based on victory over death. Jesus’ resurrection tells us that life in this wonderful world is not the ultimate destination of human life. Our future is life forever in a resurrection body. It is like this one because the disciples were able to touch Jesus, but it does not wear out.
The Sewanee River is a beautiful place in Florida made famous by a song. Way Down Upon the Sewanee River. Stephen Foster wrote it. We probably in the north would never have heard of this small pleasant place but for Stephen Foster. The only odd thing is that Stephen Foster never saw the Sewanee River. He heard it described and put it into a song. So Peter says in 1 Peter 1, Thru the mercy of God, we have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Christians are the people who can deal with death.
Death has been so much part of the news this week. Terry Schiavo died. And in all the politics and debates, I marveled that Christians did not stand up to say, she has been released from a fifteen year coma into the new kingdom. Terry Schiavo as far as I understand it was from a Christian home. Her death was not a sudden tragic event, but a 15 year interval since she last spoke. For the Christian, death is the release into life. At the very moment that Satan thought he would have the final victory, God steps in and snatches us away to new life forever.
Job says, "I know that my Vindicator lives and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; And from my flesh I shall see God." The pope died yesterday. I was on a web site yesterday and one post included some of his later words before he died. One sentence that touched me was a prayer of anticipation that he made to God, "I was searching for you and yet you came to me. Thank you very much."
The resurrection power is so great that it gives us resurrection pictures while still on this side. That death for which you grieve, that illness of spirit due to bad choices, that despair from brokenness, give it to the Lord like Thomas. Let Jesus come to you as he came to Thomas to say, touch my side, feel my hands. New life can happen.
With the resurrection, we have good news. Good news for ourselves. Good news to share. Speak to others the hope that resurrection gives. What has been said to us, I say to you, that you may say it to all; The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.
