John 20:19-23 (NRSV)
Read John 20:19-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Verse 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Verse 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Verse 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Verse 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Devotion
In America few things seem to be more frightening than witnessing to our faith. Enemies are not after us, and we do not have to hide behind closed doors. But secular people do not welcome our witness to the risen Christ. So we keep it to ourselves with the result that sins accumulate rather than receive God’s forgiveness.
In other parts of the world witness is made more openly, but it may be costly to the witness. A quarter century ago one of our graduates, Gudima Tumsa, was martyred in Ethiopia. He was a gentle disciple of Jesus who would not abandon his commitment to the One with nail holes in his hands. Today, in our country, Christian teachers dare not put a cross on their desks. A St. Paul hospital removed the cross from its chapel. Why is witness to the crucified and risen Jesus so offensive?
Prayer
Lord, may your Holy Spirit send us out to share your loving forgiveness. Amen.