“As the Father has sent me …”
John 20:19-29 (April 7, 2024)
Our scripture reading today continues the resurrection story. Which is important for us to hear in this season of Easter stretching all the way to Pentecost. Easter is certainly more than just a single day. The resurrection of Christ is an ongoing reality in our world. But it can take a while for disciples of all sorts to catch up.
Early, on the first day of the week, the Lord appeared to Mary Magdalene. She, in turn, announced to the other disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” But where do we find those friends of Jesus at the end of Easter day? Are they celebrating? No. Are they full of joy? They are not! They are huddled together like a flock of frightened sheep. The room is dark, the doors are locked, the atmosphere is suffocating.
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Do you remember those very early pandemic days when we entered “lock-down”? Aren’t you glad we’ve moved beyond that? It was necessary, I suppose, given the arrival of a deadly virus that we knew nothing about. No one wanted to catch it, or to spread it. So we stuck to our own little cohort, staying indoors where it was safe. We rarely ventured out in public places except for good reason: to pick up some groceries or other essentials.
The disciples in our story are stuck inside. And this really is a lock-down, because we’re told the doors were locked, for fear of the Jews.
The disciples were afraid. They thought if Jesus was killed, who knows – maybe they’d be next. Wouldn’t the authorities be looking for them too? So best to keep a low profile. It’s not the time to announce your presence to the world.
Ah yes, the world can be a scary place. Think of all those things that make us uneasy or feel insecure. Think of danger in the streets: crime, drugs, theft. Think of scammers that make you afraid to answer the telephone. Think of wars and rumours of wars. And problems everywhere.
But don’t think too much about all of that. Because when we do, it makes it even worse. And we become like little children, scared of all the monsters hiding under the bed. Or maybe we become like these disciples, shivering together and trying to hold the world at bay.
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And then, perhaps, we may come to an astonishing realization: That we are not as alone as we thought! There, in that locked room where the disciples have propped up furniture against the door, and shut the windows and pulled the blinds … suddenly they sense there is a presence.
“How many of us should there be? One, two, three … hold on! Who are you, and what are you doing here?” No one thinks for a moment it could be Jesus.
You want to know the Good News of Easter? All the padlocks and latches and dead-bolts in the world cannot prevent the risen Lord from entering our lives! Didn’t Jesus say he’d come like a thief in the night? So there he is, standing in the living room.
But how many of us want Jesus to be so close? Consider these disciples: Things have not gone well in their relationship with Jesus these last few days. Peter, has denied him – not just once but several times. Truth be told, none of the disciples were all that courageous. When it came to the crucifixion only a handful remained.
Now suddenly Jesus appears, and what are they feeling? Embarrassment? Guilt? Shame? How can they face him? What will he say?
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Having the risen Lord in our midst should set us all a-trembling. It is an awesome thing! The one who made us and calls us – right here in our midst? Yikes!
I think the disciples were afraid, not only of those hostile authorities outside the house, but of the supreme authority inside the house! Some fall on their knees, perhaps. Others break out in a cold sweat. But do you know what Jesus says to them?
“Peace be with you.” That’s right, the first word spoken by the risen Christ to the gathering of his brothers and sisters is a word of peace. “Shalom,” in the Hebrew language. It can be a simple greeting. Or it can be packed full of meaning, if we care to remember the biblical witness.
Shalom means inner peace – peace of heart and mind. A gentle breathing out of all the accumulated tensions in our lives.
Peace! Close your eyes, relax your body, breathe in deeply. Now let it go. Give it a try. I mean it! No one’s going to think you’re weird. What do you come to church for anyway? Isn’t it to let go of your worries? To know the peace of God which surpasses understanding? (Philippians 4:7)
“Peace be with you,” Jesus says. And still says.
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But inner peace is only the beginning. The peace we read about in scripture is full-fledged. Shalom. Not just inner peace but outer peace as well. A peace that makes life good for everyone, bringing plenty to all. So that no one is in need. And there is no cause for conflict or battle or argument or war. Can you imagine?
This is God’s kingdom vision, that moved Jesus to give his life for the world in sacrificial love. The vision that God now affirms by raising him from death to be Lord of all creation. “Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess …” (Philippians 2:11)
Am I preaching to the choir? Do Mennonites know everything there is to know about peace? Or do we still have more to learn? At the very least, I think we can be reminded.
“Peace be with you.” Three times he says it in our scripture reading for today. So how can we forget?
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Jesus shows them his wounds, confirming that he is real. The disciples respond with joy! And then … he sends them out.
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” It’s time to put your jackets on! You’re not meant to be cooped up inside. Somebody, please, open the door!
The church is not meant to be stuck in this place. Though I’m afraid that’s often what we end up being. We prefer the company of one another over strangers. We get comfortable in this place. Where all is familiar. And we know exactly what to expect. No surprises. No challenges either.
We domesticate the church. We build it, inhabit it, and rarely venture from it.
But when the church is at its best, it’s a scattered church. It’s a church engaged in mission. It’s a church that’s “out there” beyond these walls. Caring for neighbours. Loving, befriending, serving, bearing witness to Jesus our risen Lord. Holding up a vision of God’s amazing kingdom life.
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“As the Father has sent me …” You know that Jesus was sent. He came from God’s very dwelling place to be here among us. He came from heaven to live on earth.
He came to bear God’s light. To give sight to the blind. To feed the hungry. He came to serve with compassion and care. He came to bring forgiveness, healing and reconciliation. Most of all, he came to love.
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples ….” (John 13:34-35)
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” This is what the risen Lord is saying to us.
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So now, let me ask a difficult question. I don’t expect you to have an answer right away. But I’d like you to think about this: When people see us, do they see Jesus?
Are we living in his image? Are we walking in his way?
I ask because the church does not always have that reputation. We think we’re warm and friendly. But why, then, have so many been wounded, disillusioned or are just plain indifferent to the life we live in the community of faith?
The truth is it’s hard to live his way. Really hard. I mean it. I’m thinking of myself now and the mixed messages I send to others. To people who know me and to people who don’t. I don’t always reflect an accurate image of my Lord.
“As the Father has sent me …” In the same way we are being sent by Jesus. Every day our lives are meant to glorify God. We are meant to bear his light and embody his love. And I want to do that. I really do. I hope that you do too!
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As Jesus sends his disciples into the world, there’s one more thing he does. And this is what gives me hope. “When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
It’s like a mini-Pentecost, I think. Jesus knows what a challenge it will be for us. But now the risen Lord sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. We do not go alone. There is a presence and power that will be with us. It is the same Spirit that enabled Jesus’ ministry.
“The advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:26-27)
The Spirit strengthens us. The Spirit transforms us. The Spirit gives us life. The Spirit make us into God’s new creation.
The image of Jesus breathing the Spirit upon his disciples reminds me of the creation story in Genesis, when “the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)
So once again I invite you to pause, right where you are, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Breathe in the life of God. Let Jesus gift you with the Spirit.
We need that Spirit. Without it we are nothing. But with it we are agents of God’s new creation.
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So now, in a few minutes, when our service is finished, the doors will be open. And we will be sent by Jesus into the world. Your world, my world.
Well, what did you expect? We can’t stay here. We’re not in lock-down. We are disciples of Jesus, called to follow his way.
We are sent by the risen Christ. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are invited to be God’s people in the world. Believing, loving, forgiving, serving.
We are not afraid. We live boldly in God’s kingdom way. That will look different for each one of us. But if we are faithful, it will always look like Jesus. May it be so!
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