But then, Jesus appears and interacts, to give physical proof of his rising from the dead. Jesus appears to Mary at the tomb, and when Jesus calls her name, she recognizes his voice, even though she cannot recognize Jesus by sight alone, an interesting tidbit of information about the resurrection. And Jesus asks Mary to tell the disciples that he is alive, getting them ready to accept what their eyes will soon see. Later that evening, Jesus appears to ten disciples, and they recognize the marks of the wounds Jesus received, even though they cannot understand how Jesus entered the locked room, another interesting tidbit of information about the resurrection. And a week later, Jesus appears to Thomas, the lone disciple who missed seeing Jesus the first time, to give him the physical proof he needed to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.
We have in front of us, the words of John, first disciple at the tomb, written so that we may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing we may have life in his name. John's words prepare us to accept what we see in our lives. The influence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, guiding us to reject sin and forgive the sins of others. The presence of Jesus in bread and wine, given for us for the physical remembrance of him. And of course, the hope of sharing with Jesus the eternal life of the resurrection.
Gracious God, we thank you for raising your son Jesus from the dead. Continue to bless us who have not seen him, and yet have come to believe, in Jesus' name. Amen.