The first disciples of Jesus were literally hopeless, following his death and burial. All their dreams had been destroyed, and their own sense of disillusionment and failure must have left them feeling that life had lost all meaning. So they huddled together in the upper room, waiting for their world to collapse even more. They were in for a shock!
'That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20.19-21)
Jesus' visible presence, with his wounds still visible, provided astonishing evidence of his victory over sin and death. In ways which must have taken weeks and months to sink in, Jesus had transformed the world for his closest friends. So his message of "Peace be with you" will have provided new hope and prospects. But even more startling was his commission for his friends, "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you". He invites and commissions all of his followers to be part of the same job that He Himself was engaged in, sent by His Father. From the start, Jesus had been on a rescue mission, to seek and to save those who were lost. It is wonderful that people all over the world are now part of this process. And that includes us today, here in Woking. Being part of Jesus' commissioned followers gives us direction and motivation, to make a difference in our day.
Best wishes,
Richard
No comments:
Post a Comment