From Mourning to Mission
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | November 15 2024 | John 20:21-23
KEY VERSE:
Again, Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. John 20:21(NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 20:21-23, Jesus meets His disciples in their moment of mourning and fear and transforms their grief into purpose. His first words to them, "Peace be with you," are a comforting assurance of His presence and a reminder of the peace that only He can provide. This greeting, repeated from His earlier appearance, emphasizes that peace is foundational to their mission. Jesus then commissions them, saying, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." This pivotal moment shifts the disciples' focus from their loss to their calling, highlighting that encountering the risen Lord empowers us to move from mourning to mission.
Jesus' act of breathing on the disciples and saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit," signifies the impartation of divine power and presence essential for their mission. The Holy Spirit is a comforter and the source of strength, wisdom, and guidance. This breath of life echoes God's breath into Adam, signifying a new creation. For the disciples, and us, it means being equipped and enabled to carry out God's work on earth. As we encounter the risen Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, we are transformed and empowered to fulfil the mission He has given us, moving from a state of mourning or stagnation to active service and proclamation of the Gospel.
The authority to forgive sins, bestowed upon the disciples by Jesus, underscores the transformative power of their mission. This authority is a profound responsibility, indicating that the message of Jesus' death and resurrection is about reconciliation and restoration. As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of His forgiveness and grace, sharing the hope of redemption with the world. Our encounter with the risen Lord should inspire us to extend His peace, forgiveness, and love to others, moving beyond our grief and into a purposeful mission. Let us embrace this calling, knowing that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to make a significant impact in the lives of those around us, transforming mourning into a mission of hope and healing.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
We have been equipped by the Holy Spirit to go out and do the Lord’s bidding. To preach the gospel of Christ to all men and reconcile them to God. Embrace that challenge and responsibility and act on it from today.
PRAYER:
Lord, I ask for an activation of your power in me by the Holy Spirit, to go out and spread the word of your salvation to all I meet from today. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: SENT
The Greek word apostellō (ἀποστέλλω) translates to “sent” or “to send out,” often with a sense of authority and purpose. In the New Testament, this word implies more than a task; it signifies an assignment given with divine purpose. To be “sent” by God, as Jesus was, means being empowered to represent and fulfil His will.
In John 20:21, when Jesus says, “As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you,” He is imparting a mission and sharing His authority with the disciples. This commissioning is an instruction to continue His work. For us, being “sent” means we carry Jesus’ presence and purpose, embodying His message of forgiveness and hope. It’s a reminder that in our journey, every act of love and service is empowered by God’s calling on our lives.
Reflections: In what ways do you live out being “sent” by God? Reflect on how your life might reflect His love and purpose to those around you.
Comentarios