[Propertalk] John 20:19-31 commentaries - Part 1

[Joe Parrish]

There have been Elvis sightings all over the world--from a spa in Tokyo to a Burger King in Michigan.  There was even a woman who claimed that she found the image of Elvis in a taco shell.
If only we'd put even 1% of that kind of energy towards looking for Jesus, we might actually find him too.  Maybe we'd find him in the eyes of a little child or the downcast gaze of a homeless stranger.  Maybe we'd find him in the face of an enemy or the tears of a loved one with whom we are fighting.  If you believe he lives, you'll act like he lives.  You'll look for him and you'll find him.

http://day1.org/1870-trust_jesus_and_elvis

Susan Sparks
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The first words Jesus offered were a gift: "Peace be with you."  He knew what was in their hearts; he knew why they had barred the door. He knew they weren't re-grouping, getting it together and deciding on their next move, how they were going to carry on Jesus' legacy or spread his teaching. They were scared and they were hiding out. 

http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/april-11-2010.html

Kathryn Matthews Huey
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The wonderful thing about God is that we are met wherever we are on our journey in faith. God speaks to everyone regardless - the mystic who is seeking God in meditation and prayer, the Thomas who needs more proof, the unbelieving who live in faith nevertheless, those who are just born with an innate sense of belief, those who follow an ethical compassionate life regardless of belief systems. God is open to all.

http://seashellseller.blogspot.com/2010/04/2-easter.html

Ann Fontaine
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Some things cannot be explained or seen or touched but must simply be accepted as mystery, truth that is beyond our understanding.  Sometimes we must trust in God's mercy rather than in our ability to figure everything out.

http://day1.org/1242-dealing_with_mystery

Laura S. Mendenhall, 2009 
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 A diverse world demands more of us as Christian people. It forces us to examine our own motivations and our reasons for engaging otherness and difference in the world. We have a unique opportunity to embrace people from all over the world with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. The challenge of this engagement with otherness and difference is a significant one, because I'm convinced that you and I are now living in the century of the local church, the local congregation when it comes to the Christian engagement with the world.

http://day1.org/1095-on_chocolate_chip_cookies_and_dirty_water_and_being_church_in_a_shrinking_world

Rob Nash
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Thomas had lost his Lord; he had witnessed the crucifixion of his savior! But he had survived that ordeal. In fact sometimes I wonder if, while the other disciples were hiding in the upper room at Christ's first appearance, Thomas was not out preparing to move on, to get on with the work of rebuilding his shattered life. No wonder, then, that when his friends share their joyous news, "We have seen the Lord," he reacts skeptically.

It is as if an AIDs patient, finally reconciled to his fate, is told of a new miracle cure; or a disillusioned spouse, who has finally accepted that her marriage is over, is told that her husband is really a "new man." Nothing, you see, is worse than getting cut again by one's broken dreams, and Thomas has bled enough.

http://day1.org/1082-realities_old_and_new

David Lose
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Doubt is like a front porch. All of us go through it before we get into the house of faith.

http://day1.org/1038-doubtthe_prelude_to_faith

Bill Self 
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