Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 3-034 (Devotional)

SENT, SENDING

by Kim Thoday

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:19-23)

John’s Gospel portrays a relationship of trust and confidence between Jesus and the Father. The whole enterprise of salvation seems to ride on this relationship. It is because of this relationship that Jesus is able to teach, heal and minister in the ways described in John’s Gospel. Jesus speaks and acts in the confidence of that relationship. Jesus operates with the confidence that he is doing the will of the Father. In everything that Jesus does and says in the Johannine Gospel, he exudes an over-riding sense of absolute confidence that his Father will always be there for him because of the intimate relationship they have.

With the above relationship of confidence in mind, we are in a position to more fully appreciate the proclamation of the risen Jesus: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” This commission by Jesus is given to the newly formed community of faith. The risen Jesus now commissions the community of faith to be his proxy – to take his place in this confident relationship with God. We are now the sent one(s) who will with confidence and joy continue the mission of teaching, healing and ministry in the multi-faceted way of Jesus of Nazareth. And part of the magnificent story, ever since Pentecost, is that our relationship with God will be sealed and covered with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

John’s Gospel vividly describes the risen Jesus gently breathing his (Holy) Spirit on the disciples. The risen Jesus continues to breathe upon us – his Spirit, so that we will continue the confident relationship with God. In this way God is in partnership with us through the power and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit. God is sending us out, you and me, to do his will – teaching, healing, evangelising, liberating, saving and praying with the confidence that God is always with us as indeed God was with the son – Jesus of Nazareth.

God has raised up Jesus, and exalted him at God’s right hand, opening up not just a tomb but a way of life; a life of deep and everlasting joy. The risen Jesus comes and stands amongst us and says to each of us, “Shalom: peace be with you” – and sends us out in the fullness of that life . . .

Shalom, in Jesus’ name,

Kim Thoday,

Hewett Community Church of Christ, South Australia http://www.hewett.org.au