John 20 is quite a remarkable chapter. It begins with the women at the empty tomb and concludes with John’s explanation of his Gospel and by extension the entire Bible: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).
In the middle we find the commissioning of the apostles: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” John (20:21).
But what are the apostles commissioned to do? Jesus explains that they are to “FORGIVE SINS!” While it is true that forgiving sins is the exclusive right of God, Jesus now gives that right and privilege to His apostles and to His Church.
This most precious gift of forgiveness was won with Christ’s tremendous sacrifice on the cross. Now it is to be transmitted to repentant people everywhere through the words of His people.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the breathtaking gift of forgiveness that you won for me on the cross. Thank you for commissioning your Church to bring the love, joy and peace of forgiveness to repentant sinners everywhere. Amen
Doubting Thomas
Rembrandt 1606 – 1669
oil on panel (53 × 51 cm) — 1634
Museum Pushkin Museum, Moscow
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
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