Seeing Is Believing
I keep stuff. Here is something I found in my Easter file. Eugene Peterson wrote it and it has been laying in my folder since March 31, 1972. I think it is fresh and worth passing on to you.
The resurrection of Jesus is not easy to believe in. There are a lot of tricksters in the world and a lot of fakes. How do we know that the resurrection was not a hoax? There have, after all, been plenty of religious hoaxes in the world. Resurrection is a common theme in ancient religion. What evidence do we have that the resurrection of Jesus wasn't just one among many?
John's account of the resurrection is written to provide convincing evidence for dealing with these very legitimate questions. John's story is designed to persuade: -These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (20:31). His purpose is to place before us information that will clear away honest doubts and impel us to commitment. In telling of the resurrection John takes special pains to emphasize the credibility of the resurrection by bringing out details that show its historical reality.
In verses 1-10 Peter and John, told by Mary that the tomb is empty, run to see for themselves. What they see causes them to believe. The arrangement of linen cloths and napkin provided the kind of visible evidence that was convincing to those first observers: "Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed" (20:8).
In verses 11-18, Mary, weeping outside the tomb, has a conversation with Jesus. At first she doesn't recognize the One to whom she is talking, but identifying the risen Christ when he speaks her name, she turns and sees his tangible form. Note what she says to the others: "I have seen the Lord."
In verses 19-23, the disciples are huddled in fear on the evening of the resurrection. Jesus appears to them. He reassures them of his resurrection reality by showing them the crucifixion marks in his hands and side, "Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord."
In verses 24-29, the disciples are again together, this time with Thomas, who had not believed the report the others gave. Jesus makes another appearance, offering himself in tangible form: "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side..."(v. 27).
The senses of seeing, hearing, and touching are represented in the four stories John gives us. In each story people moved from a state where they lacked belief to one where they believed on the basis of first-hand evidence. The stories provide a framework in which people can move through doubt and skepticism. Thanks to John, there is plenty of room in the Christian community for people to ask questions and express doubts.
John doesn't shout at us that we have to believe, no matter what. He knows that the best belief includes an intelligent, searching mind. He doesn't want us to believe blindly; he wants us to believe on the basis of good evidence. His Gospel is full of "signs" (we might almost call them "evidences")-events in Jesus' life that provide self-authenticating data that he is God's Son, the Saviour of the world.
R.A.W.
