Ideas on the Gospel reading. John 20:19-31
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:23
The title of this passage could be the giving of the keys. The keys were a sign of authority, as we read in Isaiah; I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and no one shall shut; he shall shut, and no one shall open. Isaiah 22:22
Authority and power in the church is derived from Christ, he is the head of the church and if the church tries to minister without this power nothing of Christ will be achieved. In today’s reading we see Jesus empowering the church to fulfil its ministry. He does that in a very decisive way.
1]. He stood among them. He didn’t walk through the door. He didn’t manifest from the ceiling, he stood among them. In their fear and their anxiety he stood with them. One minute they seemed alone the next they were aware that he was truly there. This is a personal encounter. Resurrection is a practical fact. His presence reminds us that Christianity is not a set of philosophical propositions: It is an action of God on our behalf. Best of all is God is with us. The resurrected Christ, eternally Emanuel, God is with us as Lord & Saviour. And for each of us the person of Christ stands with us. Relationship is paramount.
2] He demonstrated that forgiveness had been won. He demonstrated the reality of that forgiveness. Jesus came and they were at peace, fear was turned to joy. No recriminations only a future filled with hope and promise. He showed them his hands and side. Here was a clear proof of identity.
Underneath this pile of stones; lies the remains of Harry Jones. His name was Smith, it was not Jones. But Jones was put to rhyme with stones.
He has been through the cross, death and the pain of separation. Was this the Jesus they had been with for all those years? The scars are evidence that this is the body of Jesus, the crucified one. It was the wounds of Christ that made them whole. (1 Peter 2:24)
Then he adds a new phrase. As the father has sent me, so I send you! For the Disciples and for us Jesus does not come simply to bring us comfort. On the contrary, he comes to send us on our journey. We are practical people, ever active, that is why we don’t still live in caves eating berries. Our passage reminds us that disciples are equipped. These people who had seen Jesus were to witness that they had seen Jesus. This sending is linked to receiving.
3]. They were to receive Holy Spirit. No definite article. Not a gift of magic but part of Jesus own life, breath. The Holy Spirit is person “God in 3 persons; Blessed Trinity” But it is not a person they received but the power and energy of which the Holy Spirit is the source. Just as Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit so now he transfers to the church the authority to minister in his name by the same power!!!! (This is John’s record of Pentecost?)
All of God’s people are gifted. This gifting is for the work of ministry, so that the witness to resurrection and the coming Kingdom is effective and recognised.
They are all together and are given Holy Spirit and then commissioned to release or bind according to the direction of the Spirit. As the gospel is proclaimed and received the release from sin and the gift of righteousness comes. Not that any have to decide who is in or out, the gospel does that for us, a disciples task is to simply declare it. In the declaration we recognise the powerful forgiveness and acceptance of Jesus through his sacrificial death and glorious resurrection.
And of the ministry gifts Paul says: Ephesians 3:8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him. 13 I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.
The power comes from Christ even though the congregation elects people into the various offices.
This power is firstly Spiritual power that is exercised in the Name of Christ. It confronts evil and brings release to people from spiritual bondage so that a life of obedience can follow. It does this without force or manipulation or coercion. (Because it is Christ’s power not human power)
Secondly it is ministerial, Power to minister: working in harmony with the Word of God, preaching, offering the sacraments, healing, and administration each gift flows out of the word of God. These things make for the effective ministry of each and every congregation. All comes from Christ, and so honours Christ, working under the power from the Holy Spirit, given through the work and promise of Christ. But it is not a collective ministry, not done by one or a small group, each of us is gifted and subsequently empower under the same ministry. Thus we together bring honour to Jesus Christ and by our ministry and service, lift high His Name.
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