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Bible Study for the Second Sunday of Easter- April 11th
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Read John 20:19-31
What a day! Early in the morning, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after he had risen from the dead. Mary shares that incredulous news with the disciples, proclaiming to them, “I have seen the Lord.” (John 20:1-18 NRSV) What a glorious day! That evening, the disciples meet behind locked doors. They are afraid. Their world has been turned upside down, again and again. No wonder they are afraid. To their amazement, Jesus comes, stands with them in the midst of their fear, and declares, “Peace be with you.” (Luke 20:19 NRSV)
Jesus shows them his hands and side, casting away any doubts. A second time Jesus declares peace to the disciples. This time he adds a commission. “Jesus says to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” (John 20:21 NRSV) But Jesus is not done. There is more. Jesus breathes on them. Like the breath given to Adam by God at the time of creation, the breath of Jesus brings new life. Along with the breath comes the Holy Spirit.
Jesus teaches forgiveness by forgiving people. Even as Jesus dies on the cross and faces the worst of humanity, he forgives. He also gives these believers the power to forgive or retain sins. Not everyone is comfortable with being able to retain the sins of others. Is this not the role of God?
Thomas—often referred to as “doubting Thomas”—is not with the other disciples when Jesus appears to them, and he is unable to believe. He needs proof. A week later, Thomas is with the disciples in the house with the doors shut. Again, Jesus comes and stands with them. Again, Jesus greets them with, “Peace be with you.” This is not a casual greeting like, “Hello, how ya’ doing?” Instead, Jesus offers the gift of peace. This time, Thomas is allowed to touch Jesus and feel the wounds. Finally, Thomas is convinced, confessing, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus realizes not all will have the same chance as Thomas to be persuaded. Thus Jesus offers this blessing, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Prayer O God, giver of peace, give us peace for the journey and most certainly for the day. Amen
What a day! Early in the morning, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after he had risen from the dead. Mary shares that incredulous news with the disciples, proclaiming to them, “I have seen the Lord.” (John 20:1-18 NRSV) What a glorious day! That evening, the disciples meet behind locked doors. They are afraid. Their world has been turned upside down, again and again. No wonder they are afraid. To their amazement, Jesus comes, stands with them in the midst of their fear, and declares, “Peace be with you.” (Luke 20:19 NRSV)
- Describe the range of emotions experienced by the disciples on this single day.
- What might the disciples have said to Jesus at this moment?
Jesus shows them his hands and side, casting away any doubts. A second time Jesus declares peace to the disciples. This time he adds a commission. “Jesus says to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’” (John 20:21 NRSV) But Jesus is not done. There is more. Jesus breathes on them. Like the breath given to Adam by God at the time of creation, the breath of Jesus brings new life. Along with the breath comes the Holy Spirit.
- What is the role of peace in the lives of the disciples as they are sent?
- Why might Jesus have greeted them twice with “Peace be with you”?
- Describe what the disciples might have felt as they received the Holy Spirit.
Jesus teaches forgiveness by forgiving people. Even as Jesus dies on the cross and faces the worst of humanity, he forgives. He also gives these believers the power to forgive or retain sins. Not everyone is comfortable with being able to retain the sins of others. Is this not the role of God?
- How do you connect peace with forgiveness of sins?
- When might a community of faith choose to retain sins?
- How does someone make the decision to forgive or retain sins?
Thomas—often referred to as “doubting Thomas”—is not with the other disciples when Jesus appears to them, and he is unable to believe. He needs proof. A week later, Thomas is with the disciples in the house with the doors shut. Again, Jesus comes and stands with them. Again, Jesus greets them with, “Peace be with you.” This is not a casual greeting like, “Hello, how ya’ doing?” Instead, Jesus offers the gift of peace. This time, Thomas is allowed to touch Jesus and feel the wounds. Finally, Thomas is convinced, confessing, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus realizes not all will have the same chance as Thomas to be persuaded. Thus Jesus offers this blessing, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
- How do you relate to Thomas?
- As one who has not seen Jesus in person, how do experience this blessing by Jesus?
Prayer O God, giver of peace, give us peace for the journey and most certainly for the day. Amen
Prayer Petitions for this week
These petitions are offered as guides to prayer for the global, social and outreach ministries of the ELCA, as well as for the needs and circumstances of our neighbors, communities and world. Thank you for your continued prayers for the life and mission of this church.
-“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Look around and give thanks for the people, community, world, wonders of creation and signs of God’s presence and work that surround you.
-Remember in prayer the diverse gifts, cultures, heritages and stories of our Arab and Middle Eastern siblings in Christ, who remind us of the rich history and tradition of Christ’s church in the world. Ask God to bless and further the work, witness and advocacy of Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries in the ELCA and the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage of the ELCA.
-Give thanks for the generosity shared from across our church, which helps us respond to the needs of the world, live out our faith in service to our neighbors and proclaim the gospel everywhere.
-Jesus continues to walk with us daily and to make his loving presence known when we gather with bread and wine, remembering the sacrifices he made for our sake and for the restoration of our relationships with God. Give thanks and praise to God for being in our lives!
-Give thanks for the empathy and support expressed by the Rev. Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), in his letter to Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and our church in a time of political and social tension. “People need to talk and listen to each other again,” he wrote. “Broken relationships need to be mended. People need to trust again so that they can live and work together. People need to heal from their pain and their wounds.” Give thanks for the LWF, a global family who accompany one another in doing God’s work in the world.
-Pray for the humility to acknowledge and respect God’s infinite power, presence and grace for the sake of all people.
-Jesus is with us in times of fear and uncertainty, just as he was with his troubled disciples after the resurrection. Pray for the Spirit to encourage our faith, ground us in the good news of Christ and grant us peace, reassurance, hope and direction throughout our baptismal journey.
-“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Look around and give thanks for the people, community, world, wonders of creation and signs of God’s presence and work that surround you.
-Remember in prayer the diverse gifts, cultures, heritages and stories of our Arab and Middle Eastern siblings in Christ, who remind us of the rich history and tradition of Christ’s church in the world. Ask God to bless and further the work, witness and advocacy of Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries in the ELCA and the Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage of the ELCA.
-Give thanks for the generosity shared from across our church, which helps us respond to the needs of the world, live out our faith in service to our neighbors and proclaim the gospel everywhere.
-Jesus continues to walk with us daily and to make his loving presence known when we gather with bread and wine, remembering the sacrifices he made for our sake and for the restoration of our relationships with God. Give thanks and praise to God for being in our lives!
-Give thanks for the empathy and support expressed by the Rev. Martin Junge, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), in his letter to Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton and our church in a time of political and social tension. “People need to talk and listen to each other again,” he wrote. “Broken relationships need to be mended. People need to trust again so that they can live and work together. People need to heal from their pain and their wounds.” Give thanks for the LWF, a global family who accompany one another in doing God’s work in the world.
-Pray for the humility to acknowledge and respect God’s infinite power, presence and grace for the sake of all people.
-Jesus is with us in times of fear and uncertainty, just as he was with his troubled disciples after the resurrection. Pray for the Spirit to encourage our faith, ground us in the good news of Christ and grant us peace, reassurance, hope and direction throughout our baptismal journey.
Lent 2020 -
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In Jesus’ day, women were generally silent, and rarely if ever seen, and are generally nameless. We hear about the Canaanite woman, or the Samaritan woman, or they are identified by their relationship to a man such as Jairus’s daughter or Simon’s mother-in-law. So the very inclusion of women in the gospel texts is remarkable. Yet these women are a part of our history and a part of Jesus’ story. This Lenten season, we will explore a different woman’s story each week.
Introduction to Lent 2020 and Women's Encounters with Jesus Week 1 - The Canaanite Woman: Matthew 15:21-28 Week 2 - Martha and Mary: Luke 10:38-42 Week 3 - A Bent Woman, Daughter of Abraham: Luke 13:10-17 Week 4 - A Woman Accused of Adultery: John 7:53-8:11 Week 5 - A Woman anoints Jesus for Burial - Matthew 26:6-13 |
Lent 2019 -
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Jesus often taught the crowds through powerful stories that feel just as contemporary today as they did 2000 years ago. These wonderful stories allow us to see the world of the first century through the eyes of first century followers of Jesus. Join us on this journey through 5 parables from the Gospel of Luke as we peel back the layers to discover how these parables simultaneously comfort and challenge us. Dig into the culture of the original hearers of these stories that challenge our assumptions about God, the world, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Once Upon a Time: The Beauty and Challenge of Story Week 1 - Are All Samaritans Good? Week 2 - Lost Things Week 3 - A Lost Son Week 4 - A Lost Brother Week 5 - A Feast for the Ones the World Forgot Reflections on Holy Week |
Lent 2018 |
The gospel of John tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection in a poignant, dramatic, and unique voice. In this Lenten Bible study, you are invited to enter into John’s world and encounter those who were a part of Jesus’ final days.
Introduction to the Gospel of John Week 1 – Nicodemus: Journey from Darkness to Light Week 2 – Judas: Journey to the Dark Side Week 3 – Peter: Journey to Understanding Week 4 – Mary Magdalene: Journey to Life Week 5 – The Beloved Disciple: Our Journey to Faithfulness |
Advent 2017 |
Pastor Joanne made a series of videos with a message for each week of the Advent season. Please follow this link to see those messages
Advent videos 2017 |
