On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:19–23 NIV)

Easter season series: “Sent”

Jesus gives his followers peace and sends them out.

Jesus was raised not only to save you, but to send you.

The point: We need to receive not only the peace Jesus offers but also the mission he sends us on.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17 NIV)

To be sent means to be a saving presence, not a condemning one.

To be equipped means to have the ability and the authority to do the job.

“Jesus commissions the community…to bring the world to the moment of decision…it is in choosing or rejecting this relationship with God that sins are forgiven or retained.” -Gail O’Day

“Jesus’ words in v. 23 are addressed to the entire faith community, not to its apostolic leaders.” -Gail O’Day