This scripture takes place on the evening of Jesus’ resurrection. God wants us to think about our role. We are the sent ones. Jesus was sent here by his Father. He didn’t balk at what God wanted him to do. It hurt. God knew what the people would do to his son but still Jesus was sent.
It takes courage and bravery for us to go to the battlefield against the enemy. We don’t know the skill of others. Not a one who has stepped out did it without fear. That’s the first step to courage. Soldiers who have died on any battlefield knew they were sent by their country. There is a falling away of the morale of the soldiers of the cross. People don’t feel the need to witness as if the light of their testimony isn’t enough.
From noon to 3 PM on the day of Jesus’ death there was darkness. Then the darkness of night fell. The stone was rolled over the tomb after Jesus was buried. Before the rays of the sun shone on the third day Jesus came out of the tomb. All this was accomplished because Jesus was sent. With equal power and urgency and in the same Spirit and victory he sends us.
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
The Lord used this word in verse 21: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. He was not exaggerating. He meant it. John wrote it down. It was for John and the early church and yes, it is for us. When we accept Jesus as Saviour he is revealed to us. The disciples had not been with Jesus since the Thursday night before his death. Others had reported what they saw earlier in the day. The disciples were scared and hiding out in the Upper Room. In the midst of it all Jesus appeared and said Peace be unto you. No matter how dark and fearful the times Jesus has given us peace. He said it was his peace, not as the world gives. He said we’d have trouble in this world but to be of good cheer because he had overcome the world.
Jesus showed the disciples his hands and his side. They were glad. When we heard the gospel, whether through a preacher, teacher or witness of another, and believed we were saved. When we get sheepish and feel overcome with the forces of darkness we must remember the Lord is in the midst. If we’ll only look at Jesus it will brighten our life. He is always right; we are the ones who get things wrong.
After this, Jesus said Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Wait a minute! Why can’t it just be here in the Upper Room? We are up now and then but our work is at ground level. I’d love to stay up and not face the world. We’re not in heaven yet. Praise God for the upper room but in order to have those times we have to go out. Jesus left heaven. He gave up his perfect state and became like us. He, who knew no sin, walked among us. He came because the Father sent him. Without that we’d have no chance of heaven. Nothing could fix our soul. We were born condemned already but Jesus was born Savior. He came to ground level to prepare upper rooms for us. One day we’ll go all the way to the top. Sometimes it is so good that we don’t want to leave the church, but our job is at ground level, out on the streets. We have a place here but we have a place we must go.
Send is our command. The Holy Spirit is with us. Jesus has given us the gospel. It was carried to us and now we need to take it somewhere else. We are being sent and as the Father was with Jesus he’ll be with us. Those who go forth sowing will come again rejoicing.
There is a coming home soon. Work for the night is coming. We’re never alone. All the forces of God’s power are ours and are more than adequate to save the world. It hinges on being delivered. We are the sent. Are we faithful and true to the calling? Let’s dedicate ourselves to the task.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 