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
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
Whether we would like to admit it or not, there is a commissioning that happens when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. Not only are we sent, we are also given a mission and a symbol of our authority – what Martin Luther called “The Office of the Keys.” In other words, we are given the authority to forgive the sins of those who repent and to declare to those who do not repent that their sins are not forgiven.
What would it be like to not have your sins forgiven, to go through life without reconciliation between you and an offended party? Is this not the cause of much dissension and strife in our lives: families broken up, leaders at odds with each other, nations at war?
But through the Holy Spirit, we can go forth with confidence, knowing we have the authority to effect reconciliation on Christ’s behalf.
Prayer
Gracious God, you send us into the world as your ambassadors. Direct us by the light of your Spirit that we might have right judgment in all things, through your son Jesus Christ. Amen.