I am journaling these thoughts on Resurrection Sunday. What would Jesus have said to us if we were there for His resurrection?
There are several things He said to His disciples. I find it interesting that we often talk about Matthew 28 as a Great Communion passage without leaning on what the gospel of John has to say about it.
Here is what I hear Jesus saying to His disciples, in John 20, back then, and perhaps we can hear Him speak those same things to us today:
“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (17). I think Jesus wanted His disciples and us grounded in the fact that Jesus’ Father is our Father and Jesus’ God is our God. That in the same way He has access to Him we too can have access to Him.
“Peace be with you!” (19). I believe Jesus wants us to be people marked by peace. This is a peace that is grounded in who He is, not in our circumstances. What kind of peace can someone who laid down His life and raised it back again can possibly give us? Obviously He can give peace in a limitless way!!!
It is interesting to notice that Jesus speaks peace a second time over His disciples, but this time He follows it up with, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (21). The work of Christ at the cross makes possible our reconciliation with the Father. However, by that same work we are thrusted, commissioned, to partner with Jesus in this world to do the kind of ministry He already did on our behalf.
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (22-23). Jesus fulfilled the promised He had made before His death that He would give His disciples another counselor, one just like Him! But He also is taking the time to commission His disciples and us to be dispensers of forgiveness. Yes, that is right, we are dispensers of forgiveness. Our world needs agents of forgiveness modeling the mercies of our Savior as we ourselves have been forgiven and given grace. As we are commissioned, we are also given the life, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live out this commissioning.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (29). I think Jesus would also say to us today how valuable faith is in His sight. Believing before we see with our eyes is essential to our faith; it is our faith.
Let’s recap:
You have a Father.
I am your source of Peace.
I am sending you into the world.
The Holy Spirit is given to you.
Steward forgiveness to the world.
Believe even when your eyes don’t see.
As I see it in this passage, the impact resurrection has in our lives is pretty signifiant. From being orphans to being adopted; from anxiety to peace; from building our own kingdoms to serving with our King; from living self-dependent to relying on God; from entitlement to being merciful and gracious people; from a humanistic life to a faith-filled life.
Does your Christian faith align with these messages from Jesus?
Which one of these messages are you finding most difficult to embrace or live out?
In what ways would you like to ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to live out these messages?
May we hear the messages of our Resurrected Jesus!
