Thoughts on the Gospel of John (209) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

So Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
John 20:21–23

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (209)
The resurrection of Jesus was witnessed many times. He “presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).

This is how Luke reports it, and today’s verse confirms his account. After Jesus has already greeted the disciples with “Peace be with you”, He repeats this greeting again. When we consider the context, we realise that it isn’t a farewell greeting, but this greeting is connected with the mission given to the disciples. They have first received peace for themselves and are now commissioned to share the gospel of peace with others.

The Son of God has faithfully fulfilled the commission of His heavenly Father. Now He will return to Him, and His disciples are to continue the commission in the same way: God is to be made known on earth – His love and mercy, His purity and holiness, who He is and what His will for human beings is.

We might think this isn’t an easy task. But the Lord ensures that His disciples are endowed with power and authority. He breathes into them the resurrection life, which is in the power of the Holy Spirit. And He entrusts them with a stewardship – which, however, must not be confused with the eternal forgiveness of sins; this can only be received by the believer from God Himself.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Isaiah 42:18-43:7 · Hebrews 7:18-28