JOHN 20: 19-23
‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (v. 21)
As we come to the end of this little series, we find ourselves at a beginning. When Jesus set out on the journey with his disciples the goal had been Jerusalem, the cross and the empty grave (Mark 9: 33), but that was not the final destination, they were not meant to remain there.
As Jesus stands among the disciples and greets them with a reassuring and comforting ‘Peace be with you´ (v.19), he makes it clear that a new era has dawned, it was not ‘back to normal’. Jesus had completed his mission, now the mission of the disciples were about to begin: ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (v. 21).
It is important to note how this commission is linked with receiving the Holy Spirit (v. 22). The disciples had gone through the best discipleship course ever. They had walked and lived with Jesus for three years, seen his miracles, heard his teaching and received his guidance, and yet, Jesus says, they were not ready to be witnesses. They are to stay in Jerusalem until they have received ‘power from on high’ (Luke 24:49), they have to ‘wait for the gift my Father has promised’ (Acts 1:4), before launching out in mission.
We too are sent by Jesus to be witnesses of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through our fellowship we are called to demonstrate and proclaim the new, abundant and eternal life found in Jesus. If we are to do that, if we are to live Kingdom lives, we too desperately need the Holy Spirit and his power in our lives.
There is a difference between us and the disciples though; we do not have to wait for forty days. The promised Holy Spirit has been poured out; his power is available to those that ask for it, open themselves to him and wait to receive. As we prepare ‘to leave Jerusalem’ and live for Jesus let us pray
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire!