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My Lord and My God! (Communion Meditation)

Mark Berrier
9/4/2005

They all had seen Jesus beaten; they saw him suffering on the cross. They knew he was going to die. Fearing the Jews, they had fled and remained hidden for the Sabbath. Early on the first day of the week, together in the upper room, they were wondering what to do next. They feared to leave that room. They had heard Jesus say, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” And, “The disciple is not greater than his master.” They knew that if the Jews had the power to use the Romans to kill Jesus, their leader, they too could be killed.

The doors were locked. They cowered in the darkness, eating much of what they had set aside for the Sabbath. Although Mary Magdalene had told them she had seen the Lord that morning, they did not believe. After all, a woman’s testimony was not even accepted in their law courts. John and Peter had even raced to the empty tomb. At this point, apparently John alone believed that Jesus was alive.

Suddenly, without even a knock at the door, Jesus stood among them! He terrified them until they recognized it was really Jesus. “He showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20). He continued for a time to talk with them and teach them. But Thomas the Twin was not with them.

Later, when Thomas joined them, the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he did not believe them. He said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and . . . put my hand into his side, I will not believe it” (John 20:25).

A week passed. Once again the disciples were together, and Thomas was with them. Again, the door was locked. Again, Jesus suddenly was with them. He turned to Thomas, “Put your finger here. . . . Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas cried, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27, 28).

Like Thomas, we have not seen the risen Lord in person. But when we gather at his table, we do see his broken body and shed blood. When we see these, we too should fall down on our knees and cry, “My Lord and my God!”

MB