Yesterday we looked at Jesus explicitly telling the disciples to “go and tell,” a theme we have seen in his encounter with Mary Magdalene (John 20.11 – 18) and the two from Emmaus (Luke 24.13 – 35) whose immediate response was to go to the gathered disciples. Tell them what? About the resurrection, to be sure, and also, in yesterday’s text, forgiveness of sins.
Today, let’s think about how Jesus told them to go.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20.21 – 22, ESV)
First, we are sent as the Father sent Jesus. How was that? Here are a few things that come to mind:
- Incarnationally (John 1.14 – “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood.” Philippians 2.5 – 8, Luke 1 and 2)
- Relationally (Matthew 4.19, Mark 3.14 – “with him”)
- As a servant (Mark 10.45)
- Preaching, teaching, healing (Matthew 4.23)
In short, we are to be among people (as much as we can during the lockdown!), serving them, meeting their needs, sharing God’s love and the message of God’s love.
Second, we do all this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, some of us just skip over that part. The Holy Spirit’s power doesn’t seem to be part of our tradition. But the Holy Spirit’s power is indispensable! Jesus appeared to them in John 20.19 – 23, and a week later, they’re still hunkered down (John 20.26). The disciples didn’t catch fire until Pentecost.
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14.16, 17…26, ESV)
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2.14 – 16, ESV)