7 31 2016 “The Mission of the Church” John 20:19-23
We continue to look at the day that Jesus arose from the dead in John 20. Jesus’ work for which He had come to earth is nearing completion, and on that first day on which He had been victorious over sin, death and the grave, He commissioned His disciples to be bearers of this Good News, available only by faith in Jesus Christ as the Resurrection and the Life.
Look at John 20:19: “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, (literally, “the first of the Sabbaths” or “the first of the weeks”.) when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." (Remember that Jesus had said to His disciples in John 15: 18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” The Disciples already were in fear of the Jews because they had killed Jesus and so they would seek to kill them as well.
John mentions Jesus’ appearing among His disciples, implying that Jesus did not enter through an open door but through a “shut door”. He merely materialized in their midst, demonstrating to us His God-nature, having abilities not available to mere man. Jesus’ resurrected body is far superior to His crucified body, as will ours someday.
Continue in verse 20: “When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
The disciples “were glad” when Jesus showed them His Hands and His side. The marks of His wounds identified Him as their Lord but His wounded bodily presence also proved that Jesus was not a ghost. He had been crucified and a sword had pierced His side to prove that He was dead, but now Jesus was alive. He had come back to life and the mark in His side was the confirming sign. Jesus had promised that the disciples grief would be turned into joy (John18:14, 16:20-22) and now His promise was being fulfilled in His resurrected person and presence.
A Powerful Post-Resurrection Proclamation
"Peace be with you" were no doubt welcomed and powerful words to the disciples’ ears. Jesus probably used the common greeting, “Shalom”, but this time it came as a powerful post-resurrection proclamation. At this time the disciples who had gathered were probably more than the original twelve (minus Judas), but remember that most everyone had abandoned Jesus in His time of need; instead of a reprimand, Jesus spreads out his pierced hands and says, “Peace be with you.” “Peace” was what they had needed when Jesus told them, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” “Peace” was what they needed now, carrying the fear of persecution by the Jews. So “Peace be with you” was a powerful proclamation to these gathered in fear behind locked doors.
Peace: New Assurance
Peace had always meant security, safety and prosperity, both personal and political. It meant the absence of war; but it had also been associated with brotherly harmony and unity. But now the disciples would know a “peace that surpassed understanding.” They would know a peace with God after being the enemies of God. Sinful mankind had received a death sentence after yielding to the temptation of challenging God’s authority. This cosmic treason against the Holy Almighty God meant eternal punishment and separation from this God.
But now the promised Messiah had come as the “peacemaker” between the Holy God and sinful mankind. Jesus became the peace offering as the perfect human sacrifice, the only sacrifice which would be acceptable to God. The Messiah’s peace was a perfect peace because His peace was the only way which led to salvation. His peace brings assurance of salvation through Christ to the believer’s soul. There is peace to one’s soul and contentment with one’s earthly situation, no matter what it might be.
The Peace of God through Christ is experienced through only faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross
and over the grave. That Peace” is the firm assurance that Jesus has achieved His purpose on the cross as our “peacemaker”.
The Commission of the Church
Look again at verses 21: “So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." The Commission of the Church is to be sent out by God. Jesus again extends the Peace of God to His Disciples and gives a divine example for them to follow: In the same way that God the Father sent Jesus to the world with a message (“apostello”), Jesus is commissioning the disciples to carry a message to the world.
Here Jesus is dispatching His disciples as well: “Pempo” is to “send out” and so Jesus is sending out His Disciples first of all, but secondly, the Church into all the world. The fact that Jesus “breathes the Holy Spirit” upon them in verse 23 is significant in this commission. Instead of being anointed with oil or water, Jesus is pouring out His Holy Spirit, who is the power of God to believers. The Spirit is the essence life and is not symbolical but the power of God in and through His very Spirit.
Listen: 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
The Mission of the Church is to be sent with a message.
The Mission of the Church is to be sent with a message but it includes far more than that, as was exemplified in the life of Jesus. The mission of the church is to be witnesses, making disciples and planting churches. That is a task which can only be accomplished in and through the work of the Holy Spirit. We are not called to save people; only God can save from sin and its deadly effects. The Church is to make disciples, that is, they are to teach others the truth of God through His Word. Very simply, making disciples is to lead others as students of God’s Word. We first of all teach God’s Word. That is absolutely essential and foundational!
Secondly, every Christian is to imitate Jesus with works of mercy and compassion, making the message credible. The works which Jesus performed and the message He brought proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that He was the Savior, the Messiah sent from God, and that He Himself was a person of the Godhead because only God could perform such things. He also showed that He was God through the love, mercy and compassion that He demonstrated to sinners.
We have the responsibility and the Spirit-filled ABILITY, and the MISSION (being the “sent out ones”) to act toward others the way Jesus acted toward us. To LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR with Christ-like love is to imitate Jesus. To forgive the way God in Christ forgave us, makes the message of the Gospel believable to those who are dead in sin. If we cannot be gracious toward those who are lost (and the Bible says, FIRST OF ALL, we are to behave in love toward the Church!!) then why would unbelievers want to even consider the message of the cross?
Verse 23 is difficult to understand: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." The tenses of the verbs here (to “forgive” and to “retain”) tell us that sins stand forgiven or they stand unforgiven. This is pronounced on the basis of some past event, and certainly it is pertaining to Christ’s sacrifice. The tense implies the action taken upon the subjects by God: Only God forgives sin. The role of the Christian ministry is that of declaration of what has already been done. So the message of the Church is to declare the Gospel, which is the Love of God in Christ for a spiritually destitute world, which is dead, deaf, and paralyzed in their sin and unbelief.
Those in the Church who have received forgiveness by faith in Christ and are filled with the indwelling Spirit of God have the authority to declare the Gospel. As we have seen in the book of John, the Gospel is the Word of God and it is a two edged sword. The proclamation and study of the Word will save those whom the Father draws but it will also condemn those who reject the saving work of the Lord Jesus. The Bible is very plain in this. Along with the declaration of the Good News is the proclamation that accompanying the forgiveness of sins are the fruits of acceptance of the message. Along with forgiveness the believer will produce the fruit of abiding in Christ, but the one who rejects the gracious message of the Gospel will remain under the judgment of God.
Repeatedly God’s Word warns sinners to turn to God in humility and repentance, to seek God for forgiveness and life. The Word has not changed. God is still gracious to forgive, but as we have seen, the human heart is hardened toward God unless God performs the miracle of new birth.
As recipients of the extravagant love and grace of God in Christ, might we remain faithful to the mission of God for the Church, making the most of every opportunity. Might we also walk in newness of life, being obedient to God as He perfects us more and more into His Holy image, for His Glory alone. Amen.
I. “Peace to you” is a powerful post-resurrection proclamation.
A. “Peace” was a welcome greeting after abandoning Jesus.
B. “Peace” is a firm assurance that Jesus had achieved His purpose on the cross as our “peacemaker”.
II. The Commission of the Church is to be sent out by God. (vs. 21)
A. “Apostello” is to send with a commission and message.
B. “Pempo” is to send: Jesus dispatches disciples.
III. The Mission of the Church is to be sent with a message.(vs.22-23)
A. The mission of the church is to be witnesses, making disciples and planting churches.
B. Christians are to imitate Jesus with works of mercy and compassion, making the message credible.
C. The message of the Church is the Gospel, the Love of God in Christ for a spiritually destitute world which is dead, deaf, and paralyzed in sin.
