John 20:19-31 | Hebrews 10:13-18
These passages continue to be as critical as anything else available to us in the written word of God. Jesus has accomplished the victory over death and we’re all ears toward his voice and what he says and does post-resurrection.
If it were most any human person, we might expect to pay a visit to Pilate or the religious leaders in such a situation. Surely walking up to Caiaphas and giving him even the nicest of smiles would have been on Jesus’ agenda, right? How about the soldiers who mocked him and derided him as a king? Surely there’s some kind of word for them. He wouldn’t be a braggart, of course, but might he let the bosses know who’s Boss?
But he doesn’t. He shows up in that room of disciples, declares peace, shows his scars (it’s notable he has scars), declares peace again, breathes upon them the Holy Spirit, and then…gives the authority for the relinquishment of sin.
That’s what the post-resurrection Jesus does.
No revenge. No power-mongering. No bragging. Just peace and spirit and forgiveness.
Christian, take note.
John 20:19-24
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
Hebrews 10:13-18
Since then, he’s waiting until his enemies are made into a footstool for his feet, because he perfected the people who are being made holy with one offering for all time.
The Holy Spirit affirms this when saying,
This is the covenant that I will make with them.
After these days, says the Lord,
I will place my laws in their hearts
and write them on their minds.
And I won’t remember their sins
and their lawless behavior anymore.
When there is forgiveness for these things, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Prayer
God,
Why are we still clamoring for power? Christians, I mean…why do we do this? I’d blame all the others except I’ve been known to jockey for position, myself.
Lord, help me be like Jesus. May peace be the first word on my lips, always, but especially in times of victory and when I’m feeling good. Help me to lift others up rather than push them down, even unintentionally.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.