The Risen King Appears

John 20:19-23

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 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 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending 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 withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Notes

Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the empty tomb, distressed over Jesus’ missing body. When two angels asked why she was crying, she expressed her grief. Turning around, she saw Jesus but did not recognize Him at first. Thinking He was the gardener, she asked where He had placed the body. Jesus then called her by name, and she immediately knew it was Him. Overwhelmed with joy, she clung to Him, but Jesus told her not to hold onto Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father. Instead, He sent her to announce His resurrection to the disciples. Mary obeyed, declaring, “I have seen the Lord!” The Lord would then show Himself to His disciples.

1. Jesus Appears

   It was still Sunday evening, and there was much uncertainty in the air. However, the report of the empty tomb may have given hope. When they finally confirmed the report, the disciples were glad to see Jesus alive.

   
   19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord (John 20:19-20).
   

   Application: The apostles witnessed the Risen Lord, and they would spread what they saw and heard. We believe their witness, and we must share their witness with others. Let us also remember that Christ is with us through His Spirit, and His peace is with us through His presence and His word.

2. Jesus Sends Them

   The Risen Lord would once again say, “Peace,” but with it a mandate expressed in a powerful statement. As the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends His apostles. His peace will accompany them in their challenging lifetime mission to represent the Father and Son, but the Holy Spirit will be with them.
   
   21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-22).

   Application: The mission is not only about what to do, such as proclaiming the gospel and making disciples. More importantly, it is the WHO that is sending us, and the kind of relationship. The Son sends us as the Father sent Him. The implication is in our unity with the Son, that we speak only what He speaks and do what He tells us to do. The Son represented and introduced the Father, so we must represent and introduce the Father and Son with the help of the Holy Spirit.

3. On Forgiveness

   One might mistakenly interpret the words of Jesus that the apostles were entrusted the power to forgive and not forgive. If this were true, one must doublecheck the narrative in the NT, which is the book of Acts. In Luke’s account, there is no evidence that the apostles forgave or did not forgive people for their sins. Therefore, what did Jesus mean? It is about forgiveness in the gospel.

   
   23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20:23).

   Application: We do not create forgiveness, but we proclaim to people the way to forgiveness. It is through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must also warn people against rejecting the gospel. The result is the remaining under condemnation.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Jesus said “Peace” twice. Why did He repeat it? Explain the context of each.

2. What mission did Jesus give the disciples? Explain the emphasis.

3. What authority did Jesus give regarding forgiveness? Explain.