April 12, 1998

John 20: 19-23

The Resurrection of Our Lord

It is Easter evening when Jesus speaks these Easter words to the disciples. They are cowering behind locked doors, fearful because of the mighty happenings.

Earlier that day Jesus, risen from the dead, had appeared to Mary next to the tomb (20:11). As he spoke her name, she recognized her Lord.

Now it is evening. The men had been slow to believe what their ears had been hearing. Now they hear "Peace be with you." Jesus speaks to the very disciples who had fallen asleep in the garden, denied any knowledge of him in the heat of conflict, and fled from the cross. Only a heart of mercy could speak peace to sleepers, betrayers, and cowards.

And then he sends them! Jesus comes from God the Father in heaven (3:16; 17:3) as life and light for the world. Now, having triumphantly finished his work (19:30), the risen Lord turns to the disciples and sends them to continue the task. "So I send you," he says.

Throughout the Lenten season we have followed the way of the Lord. It is a journey that leads ultimately to the cross. There "the Sent One" suffers into death all that is rightfully due us -- our brokenness, wrongdoing, even divine judgement unto death. He dies it all away. Then in his resurrection Jesus brings forth for us forgiveness, restoration to God, and peace.

"As the Father has sent me, so I send you." With his Spirit breathed into our souls, we have a mission to the world. The mission is to bring the Word of God's forgiveness to a broken and conflicted world.

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Prayer: Dear God, empower me and the people of this congregation with your Holy Spirit, that we may make Christ known in our church, neighborhood and world. Strengthen us with your word of peace and send us again and again. In the name of the Risen Jesus. Amen. [Yesterday |Lenten Index ]