Faith in Christ is forward-looking. The past and the present point forward to the future, to the coming endless Day that was signified by the 7th day in Genesis. No evening, no morning, just endless day in the light of Christ, in the presence of the Father, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. You might say that our faith in Christ is anchored in the past, believed and lived in the present, and oriented toward a future that is bright and glorious. The Lord we worship is the One who was, who is, and who is to come, and He is the same, “yesterday, today, and forever.”

“Now you see me; then you won’t; then you will again.” You have to wonder what was going through the disciples’ heads as they sat at table with Jesus in the upper room on the night He was betrayed. Jesus told them that he had even more to say, more than they could bear. You can only take so much. Jesus is but 12 hours from His crucifixion and now it’s a bit like sipping a drink from a fire hydrant. But no worries about their recalling and understanding. Jesus promises them the Holy Spirit who will lead and guide them into all truth, thereby putting Jesus’ stamp of guarantee on the New Testament.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)

Sheep and Shepherd. It’s Good Shepherd Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Easter. In Latin Miseracordias Domini Sunday. The merciful heart of the Lord. And no image more clearly captures the merciful heart of the Lord than that of the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

Three readings today, three different views of Jesus. Each of them, vitally important. All of them together give us a picture of who Jesus is for us and what He is doing. Jesus as He appeared on earth to seven of His disciples. Jesus as He appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. Jesus as He appeared to John in the Revelation, enthroned and glorified in heaven at the right hand of God as the center and object of worship. The same Jesus, crucified and risen.

Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29)

Thomas Didymus, the Twin. We traditionally call him “Doubting Thomas” don’t we? oor Thomas. He’s the one who missed church on Easter. He was not there in the upper room that first Easter evening when the Lord Jesus appeared to his fearful band of disciples who were cowering behind locked doors. He simply appeared among them without so much as a knock on the door and said, “Peace with you.” And after they collected their wits, He showed them His hands and His sides, still bearing the wounds of the cross.