Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20:21 – 23

Jesus appears among them.   He is using a greeting that must have been familiar to his disciples, Peace be with you.  This is Jesus after his death and resurrection!  His word is the same as it always was – peace.  They knew it was Jesus!  All is new.

Jesus had an eternal word for his beloved disciples, and for us today, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  Jesus made it very clear, he was sent by his Father in heaven and will continue to send believers forever, just as he was sent.

I never thought very much about the word “sent.”  When I became a follower of Jesus, I was not really aware of this aspect of my salvation, to be “sent.”  It certainly means that it was not of my doing but God’s.  He is, after all, God!

The word is clear, as I follow Jesus he chooses the path for me.  He does not ask me whether this suits me or is something that might interest me.  No!  He sends me!   I cannot send myself.  My new life is in the hands of Almighty God!

I quake when I hear this, who can do that?  Jesus quickly answers our unspoken question, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  We can not possibly live as a follower of Jesus – sent ones – without a new power.  That is the whole point, the Holy Spirit is now in control.

I am impressed with the way Jesus related this being sent to receiving forgiveness and offering forgiveness.  This is the oil that lights the room, forgiving, being forgiven and knowing God’s forgiveness.  Is this not the summary of the way we walk as followers of Jesus!  I pray it is true of me.

That is the way of true peace!