Saturday, December 30

Send me, fill me, use me

Scripture: Malachi 1-2, John 20

John 20:21–23 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.”

Observation

While scholars debate several ideas in these verses, the following ideas seem clear and are almost universally accepted.

First, we are sent by Jesus to continue His mission in the world. In John’s gospel, Jesus is the Sent One—the words “send” or  “sent” are used 110 times in John, mostly of Jesus. Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to bring God to us and bring us to God. He sends us to continue that mission.

Second, we need the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission. This is clear not only from this passage, but from Luke 24:46-49 and Acts 1:4-8. God’s work requires God’s life and power. We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit!

Third, we announce the gospel of God’s forgiveness. We are not the ones who forgive or don’t forgive; that is not in our power. Only God can forgive. We have the privilege of announcing God’s forgiveness, of proclaiming the gospel. People respond by receiving or rejecting that good news, thus accepting or rejecting God’s forgiveness.

Application

Send me: See yourself as sent by Jesus. Live as a sent one, on mission wherever you go.

Fill me: Be filled with the Spirit. You can’t do it on your own. I’m praying today and every day, “Fill me!”

Use me: Tell the good news to everyone: God loves you. God forgives you. Follow Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, there’s my prayer today…and every day. Send me, fill me, use me.