Holy Angels Anglican Church
Homily for the First Sunday after Easter
(April 27, 2025)
St. John 20:19-23
Be Not Afraid
Given by: The Rev. Fr. Vincent J. Varnas
Have you ever been afraid; not just uneasy or apprehensive, but scared stiff so that you could not think or even hardly breathe? Most likely, this is an apt description for the way the Apostles reacted to the crucifixion of the Messiah: Jesus.
Since the doors to the upper room were shut and barred, we can only imagine that the disciples experienced fear of retribution from the Jewish leaders for following Jesus. And I imagine that they spoke only in subdued tones. I expect their senses were keenly fixed upon anything out of the ordinary, any sound of tramping feet, any shouts of anger or worst of all, the pounding of fists or sword pommels on the wooden door where they huddled in fear. I expect that in their minds, they could see themselves being dragged away, begging for mercy. They could image themselves hanging in agony from a cross in excruciating pain, hoping for death to come quickly.
They were afraid that the Jews would come for them, knowing somehow that they were disciples of Christ and followers of His Word. The chief priests knew that the teachings of Jesus were a threat both to their doctrinal beliefs and to their power over the Jews. They also knew that the disciples would continue to spread His teachings among the Jews. Therefore, they most certainly understood that Christianity had to be eradicated!
When Jesus appeared to His disciples on the evening of His resurrection, He: “… breathed on them, and saith unto them, receive ye the Holy Ghost …” and the Spirit of God entered into them and they comprehended that wherever went the Holy Spirit; there also would be found peace. And they feared no more, as peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Jesus understood their fears and gave them peace of mind when He said: “Peace be unto you”.
Fear can leave you breathless and so the breath of Jesus upon the disciples filled them with fortitude, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thusly, they not only acquired the courage to go forth, spreading the words that Jesus taught them, but also, finally understanding why Jesus had to die on the cross in atonement for our sins.
After Jesus was resurrected and appeared to His disciples, the time was propitious for breathing His Spirit upon them, imparting the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and knowledge of the meaning of His sacrifice for us and finally understanding how His passion and death constituted ransom from captivity to sin and reconciliation for the broken relationship between God and man.
Another word for the Holy Spirit is Pneuma, meaning: “breath”; not just exhalation, but the breath of life!
Jesus breathed upon His disciples imparting unto them new life, dispelling their fears and; thusly, giving them strength and courage for the work ahead. They could spring forth from their dark quarters hiding behind closed doors and confidently evangelize to the world that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Jesus brings peace not only by breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, but also by reassuring them that He is not a ghost, but still a human being, only with a glorified body. He shows them the wounds in His hands and His side (Jn. 20:20).
So, why then did Jesus’ resurrected and glorified body, still carry the marks, blemishes and scars of the crucifixion, if His glorified body was healed and perfected?
There are three reasons for His wounds to remain on His glorified body: First, He wished to assure His Apostles and all others who saw Him that it was truly Himself. Second, His wounds remind us of God’s love for us in giving up His only begotten Son to death on a cross, for our salvation. And third, His wounds remind us that every time we sin, we inflict more wounds and pain upon His body. We add to His suffering.
These conspicuous physical wounds seem outwardly to flaw his otherwise glorified and perfected body; but, in reality, they add to His glory as symbols of God’s love for us.
But, what of our fears?
Fear of the unknown and fear of known dangers and sufferings is a powerful emotion. But love and trust in God’s mercy and providence are more powerful than fear, if we just open our minds and hearts and allow Him to enter.
The world seems to be filled with hate and violence. There never seems to be any lasting peace in the world, be it by wars, terrorism, murder, anger, plagues, pandemics or just in the selfish and deceitful hearts of many men and women.
There seems to be much for us to fear as we go about our daily activities, but also there is strength, hope and courage for us in Christ’s passion, death and resurrection, for we too receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation; sealed in the essence of our being throughout our lives.
His wounds are a symbol of both evil and goodness.
For most of us, our greatest fear is the fear of dying.
At this Easter season, we are assured of eternal life, as Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection and later His ascension, not only atoned for our sins, but also re-opened the gates of God’s heavenly kingdom for all of us.
We believe that we shall live again, as Christ’s death and resurrection are victory over death itself! And His victory is our victory.
So, fear not the devil or any man, let not your hearts be troubled (John 14:1) and be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) and be of strong faith in the love and mercy of God.
Be not afraid, for Jesus is with us always as He breathes new life into our souls and the Holy Spirit is there to give us strength and courage as we face the evils and sufferings of the world, remembering that while faith does not dispel the darkness of the tomb, faith is the light of the resurrected Christ guiding us through the darkness, for Jesus is the light of the world!