The stone had been rolled away from the tomb where the crucified Christ had laid and He was no longer there, but the disciples were behind locked doors hiding away in fear. It was Sunday evening, Jesus had already appeared to others that glorious day of His Resurrection, and now He would make a personal appearance to His disciples to calm their fears and increase their faith. Surely His appearance in the room where the door had shut up tight and locked did little to calm their fears initially, but Jesus assured them He had come in peace. "Peace be with you!" (v.19b). Jesus not only came in peace, He also came to give them peace. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27). Jesus had given them these words of assurance previously when He spoke to them of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, who would be sent to remind them of all that He had taught them. His presence in the room that day was absolute proof of His resurrection and complete assurance of His sovereign control over all things. As Jesus opened His hands and heart to them all the fear and dread melted away and "they were glad." "In His presence is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:11).
The disciples were revived that day in the presence of their resurrected and living Lord. Jesus appeared to the disciples to confirm their faith and to prepare them for the work they were being sent out to do.
"As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you" (v.21). They were being sent out to carry on the work He began. Theirs would be a spiritual work which would require spiritual power.
"And with that He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). The breath that was once breathed into the nostrils of the first man to give him life was now breathed into the disciples to give them divine power. They were standing on the firm foundation of the undeniable resurrection of Christ and were now given the breath of the Spirit to enable to them to walk with courage and to carry His message.
"If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (v. 23).
The disciples had not been given authority to forgive sins, they were simply called to stand on the foundation of the authority of the message they had been commissioned to proclaim.
"Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7b). The message of the cross is the sacred and holy message that every follower of Jesus Christ is called to carry, and we must do so with great reverence and respect for the One whose very life was given up so we could carry His message of life to the world.
"This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses to these things" (Luke 24:46-48). May we take seriously our commission as disciples of Jesus Christ to carry His message of hope to a lost and dying world. Praise God that He has unlocked the door to our heart so we could receive salvation and forgiveness of sin; we no longer have to hide in fear. Let us offer a prayer of gratitude for the peace He has brought to our lives through the presence and power of His Holy Spirit, who is the spiritual breath we breathe in our extraordinary new life in Christ!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3-5).
Heavenly Father,
I rejoice in Your presence.
Thank You that You are always near,
and that You hear me when I call.
I praise You that I do not have to be anxious
about anything, but by prayer and petition,
and with thanksgiving, I can present my requests to You;
and receive Your promise that the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding will guard my heart
and my mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7).
Thank You for the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit
which You gave at the moment of salvation,
to comfort, counsel, guide and protect me
as He reminds me of the promises in Your Word
and leads me into all truth.
Help me to walk in Your peace.
Forgive me for any time I have been a trouble maker
rather than a peacemaker.
I want my life to bring glory to Your name,
and bring Your peace to the world.
May Your presence, power, and peace be
evidenced in my life each day
as I share Your message of life and love
with the world.
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power."
(Revelation 4:11a)
May my life bring You honor and glory today.
In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.
