(Excerpts from the sermon for April 12, 2026, based on John 20:19-29)

What is it to be a community?

On Easter Sunday, we started talking about that. The women who went to the tomb are sent to share the news of the resurrection. They are sent back to the disciples—their community—by an angel and then by Jesus himself.

We see more of that early church community in our passage for this week. Jesus appears to the disciples. After Jesus has gone again, Thomas, who was away for the moment, comes back to the place where they are gathered.

A few things stick out to me about the interactions following Thomas’ return. Right away, it’s clear that there’s really no filtering or sugarcoating in this conversation. It’s open and authentic on both sides. The disciples declare that they have seen the Lord. Thomas replies that unless he gets to see him, too, he will not believe—them or this news.

Thomas says he will not believe. The other disciples will. This is significant. They disagree on their belief about the resurrection, and they will continue to do so.

Yet.

A week later, the disciples are again there, and Thomas is with them.

Despite everything, they still show up for each other. They still care for each other, and they are still present with each other. Because of that, Thomas is there when Jesus appears again. Thomas is included this time, and he finally gets to realize for himself the truth of this Good News.

What is it to be a community?

We have a pretty good example from the very first days of this community of faith we are now part of all these centuries later. Whether we’re in a church building or somewhere else in our daily lives, I hope we remember this story about who we are and how we started when we encounter one another.

May we remember we belong, and may we remember to show others that they do, too.