DATE: August 18, 2020
BY: Pastor Bob Miller
CHAPTER READ: John 20
SCRIPTURE SELECTED: John 20:21-23
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
OBSERVATION: The resurrected Lord appeared to His disciples as they were had locked themselves in a room for fear of the Jewish leaders. His first words were: “Peace be with you!” and then after showing them His hands and side, He repeated those same words and He added: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Jesus then breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
APPLICATION: The’ disciples needed to know that they were forgiven and that they were not forgotten and unworthy to be useful. That’s how we feel when we’ve deserted Jesus. And so Jesus says “Peace be with you” or “I have forgiven You and I am going to send You out just as the Father sent me.” And after giving to them the Holy Spirit – He spoke to them about “forgiveness”…about “Forgiving those who beat and crucified their Lord, about forgiving those for whom they were fearful of. How can they be forgiven if we don’t go to them as Jesus came to us, with the words: “Peace be with you’.
PRAYER: Lord, You forgave me and You called me and You equipped me by giving Your Spirit to live in me. You entrusted me with Your mission which brings “peace and forgiveness” I have no problem with that, until I get around those who have wronged me and who hurt You and I can’t find the words to say: “Peace be to you”. Forgive me my shortcomings, so that they will be “forgiven”. Amen