Today let's begin digging into John 20.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you!"
Have you ever had to tell someone the same thing over and over again? In scripture we often see this Judaic way of being emphatic- that is, saying the same thing twice. A more famous example of this effect is "Verily, verily (truly, truly)". Jesus is saying something important... Peace (20:19)! Peace (20:21)! Don't be agitated or afraid.
"As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
Jesus named the successors to His earthly ministry: Us (20:21). Disciples across the ages, in every nation, have been commissioned by Jesus to carry on the work He began. If we are being sent, then it is disobedience to remain behind locked doors (20:19; 20:26).
And with that He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
Do you think the disciples remembered the promise Jesus made before the crucifixion (John 14:16)- the promise of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit who indwells us and teaches us and convicts us? Well, whether or not they remembered, Jesus certainly remembered and kept His word (20:22).
Tomorrow we will continue our reflection by focusing on the impartations of the Spirit recorded in John 20 and Acts 2.
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