John 20:19-23 (NRSV)
Read John 20:19-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Verse 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Verse 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Verse 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Verse 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Devotion
On that first Easter evening, Jesus came through a locked door to be with his disciples. They’ve seen him calm a storm, and now he calms their stormy hearts. But Jesus doesn’t stop there. This ministry is not over. In fact, it’s just beginning for the disciples. Now Jesus gives them some instructions: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Jesus leaves his disciples with peace, he breathes on them the Holy Spirit, and he instills in them the ability to forgive. Every Sunday morning, we too hear a word of good news. In worship we pass the peace. We recite the Lord’s Prayer asking to be forgiven and to forgive. We receive God’s blessing and are sent—with instructions! “Go in peace to serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!” Jesus arms us just like he armed the disciples 2,000 years ago.
Prayer
Jesus, we worry that we can’t live up to the instructions you give. Remind us that the peace and forgiveness you’ve given us is all we need. Amen.
Interested in digging deeper into today’s text?
Read more here.