21 Mar 2007 - John 20:21-22

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, please empower your disciples to do what
you have sent us to do in the diablo valley and beyond. AMEN.

Scripture for Today: John 20:21-22

Question: How do you feel about being sent by Jesus as he was sent by
the Father? What are some things you believe the church in our valley
has been sent by Jesus to do? What do you think you have been sent to do?

“Peace be with you.” Comforting words for His frightened disciples. They
have never seen a resurrected person before and are understandably
shaken. But I think Jesus’ next words shook them up even more. “As the
Father has sent me, I am sending you.” These scared yet excited
disciples were being commanded to continue the mission Christ had been
given by the Father. How were they going to do that?
Jesus anticipates their question. He breathes upon them and commands
them to receive the Holy Spirit. For them to continue His ministry in
Jerusalem and beyond they will need the same Spirit he has – the Holy
Spirit. Like Adam in Genesis, they need to breathe the same Spirit Jesus
breathes to live the life God has for them.
Just like the first disciples, we have been called and commanded to
continue Christ’s mission in our valley and beyond. To do this we need
the same Spirit Jesus had and gave to his disciples. We need the Holy
Spirit. Not so we can have new and amazing spiritual experiences, though
those will happen as we continue His mission. And not so we can boast of
having a higher or better spirituality than others, though our devotion
will deepen and increase. Rather, Jesus commands us to receive the Holy
Spirit so He can send us into the world as the Father has sent Him, not
to achieve what only He can achieve, but to implement what He has
achieved. Just as an orchestra implements what the composer has achieved
when they play his musical composition, so we, empowered by God’s
Spirit, are able to implement in the world what Jesus Christ has
achieved for the world by His death and resurrection. This is the work
He has sent us to do. This is why He says to us, “Peace be with you.”
Abba Father, please show me what you have sent me to do. Breathe on me,
Holy Spirit, so that I can do what you want me to do and be who you want
me to be. Thank you.

Mike McCoy, The Hills Vineyard Christian Fellowship