Sermon: "Joy's Disbelief"
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg
Third Bishop of East Tennessee

[This sermon by Bishop vonRosenberg was delivered using the following notes.]

In one of the parishes I served as rector, a man had a special medical problem. Actually, the problem was more mental than physical. He was terrified of cancer - really terrified. Now, many of us have a fear of that disease, but this man's fear was excessive indeed.

The time came in this man's life that he had to undergo tests at the local hospital because of some ailment. Of course, he was certain what the diagnosis would be. Before the test results came back, he was sure that they would indicate some incurable cancer. In response, those of us who dealt with him in the hospital did what we could to console him. However, the doctors themselves were not very hopeful. Their attitudes contributed to the patient's sense of hopelessness, for they suggested that the prognosis did not seem good at all.

Then, the test results came back. Much to everyone's surprise, the results were negative. There was no cancer! Of course, those of us who knew the patient were quite happy indeed. We had expected the worst. Indeed, because of the man's convictions, we had prepared ourselves for very bad news. Yet, that news did not materialize. The patient did have some medical problems - but they were fairly simple to address.

However, the patient himself reacted quite differently. He almost seemed disappointed with the test results. He certainly did not believe them. And then, almost right before our eyes, he began to deteriorate. The doctors had no explanation for this strange turn of events, except that one of them said that the patient seemed to have lost his will to live. And, before too long, the patient died.

Now, that is a dramatic example of a familiar situation. I suspect that many of us have known circumstances that may not be all that different, although hopefully not so tragic. Perhaps another health problem was involved … or an awkward circumstance in some relationship … or a situation from which we could not seem to escape. That is, some particular circumstance had seemed bad - irrevocably bad - even hopeless. When, by some chance or opportunity, we were delivered from that circumstance, our first response was disbelief. We could not believe our good fortune.

I remember that a friend of mine had a water-skiing accident many years ago … an accident that resulted in his finger being torn off his hand. Some other friends with him rushed him to the hospital. The doctor there told his friends to go back to the lake and find the missing finger, put it on ice, and bring it back. The friends did just that. After a long wait and some extensive surgery, my friend had his finger back! His reaction was a bit strange, though. He said that during the wait at the hospital, he had grown accustomed to not having his finger. And, after it was sowed back on, his initial reaction was not to believe the good news.

In this season of Easter, we read several accounts of the disciples' reactions to Jesus, following the resurrection. Jesus had spoken with them prior to his death, trying to prepare them for what was to happen - and, in particular, for the resurrection. However, after Jesus was killed, those disciples scarcely remembered his words of hope. Rather, they thought only of his terrible death and of the threat to their own lives. Indeed, the disciples were a frightened, disorganized, disillusioned group after the death of their leader. The prospect of his return surely seemed too good to be true.

We read the account of one of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances in the Gospel this morning. The risen Christ appeared to those disciples - that frightened, pitiful group. And their reaction is put vividly in the reading today: "In their joy they were disbelieving" (Lk 24:41). While those words may express their reaction quite well, I prefer wording from another version: "They disbelieved for joy."

Those disciples had come to anticipate certain things about their future, following Jesus' crucifixion. That anticipation was full of pessimism and discouragement and fright. They could see no prospect for good or for hope. And, therefore, when Jesus came, "they disbelieved for joy." The joy of what his appearing meant called forth disbelief from them. It was not what they had expected. It seemed too good to be true.

We, too, have experienced those last days Jesus spent on earth - experienced them as best we can through time. We have remembered Jesus' passion - his suffering and his death. We have reflected on the meaning of his last days on earth for us. We have walked the way of the cross - at least as observers, and perhaps as sincere seekers…However, in addition, we have celebrated Jesus' resurrection. We have proclaimed with joy the "Alleluia" of Easter morning.

And yet, questions may still remain for us - questions of joy's disbelief. That is, "What does it mean to me if Jesus really did appear after death?" "What if I actually believe that?" "And if I do believe it, does not that transform my whole life?" "Do I dare put my faith in the message of Easter … or is that message too joyful, too good to be true?"

The appearances of Jesus after his resurrection - like the one we read today - these appearances serve to support the reality of the resurrection. And our Easter faith is based on that reality. Christ's Easter victory may seem too good to be true, and yet it is precisely there that our faith has its foundation.

Without the resurrection, we have very little to say to this world, for ours is a world of death, of disbelief, and of despair. And yet, with the resurrection, our message is quite different indeed.

As resurrection people, we proclaim that even as this world is passing away, a new world is being born. We affirm the values of human dignity and of unselfish love. We hope for eternal life, with the resurrection of Christ as the source of our hope. And we dare to believe with joy that the message of the cross and the resurrection provides the answer to our quest for meaning in life.

Therefore, I issue you a challenge this morning. Dare to believe the Good News of Easter. Dare to believe it! Do not disbelieve because of the overwhelming joyfulness of it. Rather, grasp that joy with all your heart, and dare to believe that it is true. The resurrection of Jesus Christ makes all the difference to our Faith, and it makes all the difference in your life as well. Dare to believe it!

Copyright © 2006 The Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee