Even so send I you

John 20:21

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

After Jesus was crucified, and His body placed in the tomb, many of His disciples were under the dismal assumption that life as they knew it was over—that Christ had been destroyed, and they would not see Him again. For as yet, they knew not the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Therefore, they are in a mood of sadness and fear. Indeed, they were hiding in a room, with the door tightly shut, in case the Jews, who had delivered Jesus to be crucified, would come after them. They were gathered in a clandestine meeting on the first day of the week, when Jesus, in His glorified body, appeared suddenly to them in the midst. Jesus immediately spoke words of comfort and courage. He immediately uplifted their spirits with His presence. For He said to them, “Peace be unto you.” Many of the disciples had not yet fully believed that Christ was standing before them, and specifically Thomas, who was not there, was skeptical. He said that if he did not see, He would not believe. And Jesus, in His mercy, appeared again when Thomas was with them and showed His hands and His side. But Thomas, who was once skeptical, immediately upon seeing Christ, before His wounds were revealed, proclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” He believed because He saw. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” Blessed are you if you believe what Christ has done! Blessed are you if you put your trust in the unseen Savior!

But as Jesus meets with the disciples, some of whom are skeptical and unsure of the veracity of what they have just witnessed, Jesus charges them with the greatest mission that has ever been given to any group. He told them, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Just as the Son had been sent into this world by the Father, so Jesus Himself was commissioning His disciples, sending them out to the far corners of the globe to carry the victorious message of Christ’s death and resurrection. He was not overly concerned with those who did not fully believe yet, although He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart. Instead, He went ahead and gave them this commission, knowing that this would be their new purpose. The truth would sink in! The power of Christ’s resurrection would change every one of these men! And they would, no doubt, give every ounce of effort and every breath of their beings, for the rest of their lives, to propagate this life-changing and world-changing message. They would give their lives, some by cruel persecution, for the cause of that which they had just seen. Now, may I ask you, brother or sister, will you give your life for the great cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ—the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior?

It is all well and good that we rejoice in Christ’s resurrection. But the joy is not the end! The ecstasy is not where it stops! It must propel us! It must compel us! It must impel our hearts and minds to take to our feet and bring this message to a world that needs to hear it! This is was the disciples did. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the catalyst, the great impetus that sent them to Africa, Asia, and the world. Will you go? Will you go to those in your given proximity? Will you spread the message to your vicinity? This is the message—Christ was dead, but is risen again! Oh, may God burn a zeal in our hearts to do what we can to send forth the message of Christ to this world! For without our participation, the message will be stagnant, immobile, ineffective. It must be told! And told again! And again, and again, and again! Jesus said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you!” Where, and to whom is He sending you this very day?

“Lord, we praise you for the glorious message of your death and resurrection. We are rejoicing greatly in this with joy unspeakable and full of glory! But may we take the joy of this message, and bring it to a world that has no joy, peace, or hope. Burden our hearts today to go where we must go to spread the news of your resurrection and power over sin and death. Thank you that you have entrusted this to us. You have sent us as the Father has sent you. Help us to heed the call, and obey the commission. Help us go for Thy glory! In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.”