In order to understand our text this morning, we need to have an understanding of how sheep were cared for at the time of Jesus. During the day, flocks of sheep would be out on the hills grazing under the watch and protection of a shepherd. But at night, shepherds might lead their flock to a pen. This pen would be enclosed all around by a stone wall, high enough that sheep could not climb or jump over it. This large, open-air pen would be large enough that a number of flocks could be kept in there overnight together. In one of the stone walls there would be the one opening into the pen.

Thomas was having none of it.  His friends have told him that they have seen the risen Lord Jesus!  It happened on Easter evening.  They were all locked in a room to hide from the Jews.  For whatever reason, Thomas was not with them.  All of a sudden, the risen Lord was present with them!  They tell Thomas,  We have seen the Lord!  (v. 25)  And for them, seeing was believing!

The Service of Darkness centers on a series of lessons, psalms, and liturgical texts that reflect on the Lord’s crucifixion and our repentance. As the service progresses, the candles of a sevenfold candelabrum are extinguished until only one remains. This candle is not extinguished but is removed from the chancel, leaving the church in darkness. The service is closed by a loud noise (known as the strepitus) that foreshadows the rending of Jesus’ tomb on Easter. After the strepitus, the last candle, still burning, is returned to the chancel. It thus anticipates the light of the paschal candle. The service ends without a benediction. We exit in silence to reassemble on the Festival.

It happens all the time. There is excitement. There is commotion. Just yonder, something is going on. A crowd gathers. It seems all the commotion is over some person. And the question buzzes through the crowd, “What’s going on? Who’s over there?”

As the apostle Paul neared the end of his letter to the Philippians, he wrote, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)  Have you ever paused to consider Paul’s description of the peace of God?  He says this peace “transcends all understanding.”  He is saying that the peace of God is something that defies logic.  It cannot be reduced to simple syllogisms.  It cannot be explained by way of deductive or inductive reasoning.