Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 NIV
Our heavenly Father sent Jesus into the world calling sinners to repentance and ultimately paying the price for our sins reconciling sinners to our righteous Creator. Jesus is the deliverer, known as the Messiah, promised in many dozens of scriptures. One example is Isaiah 53:12 which prophesies the life and sacrifice made by Christ saying, “Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors. WEB”
God sent Jesus, known as Christ, to be the deliverer of his people and the way to God for all of mankind. In turn, Jesus, the Savior sent by God, sends his disciples into the world to share the truth of God’s grace. Christ is simply the Greek word for Messiah. Another example of Jewish prophecy that identifies the Messiah is Zechariah 12:10 which reads, “I will pour on David’s house, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they will look to me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and will grieve bitterly for him, as one grieves for his firstborn. WEB”
Jesus Saves
These two prophecies identify Jesus as the Messiah. From Isaiah 53:12, crucified with criminals, Jesus bore our sins on the cross. From Zechariah 12:10, a Roman soldier pierced our Savior’s side while on the cross. We read of this in John 19:34 which says, ‘However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. WEB” Many more prophecies confirm Jesus as the Christ, the Jewish Messiah, our Lord and Savior.
God sent Christ to save the world from sin. After the confirmation of his divinity through fulfillment of scripture and following his resurrection after crucifixion, Jesus says to his disciples, “I am sending you” to share the good news of salvation from sin with the world. These words, “I am sending you” indicate Jesus’ divinity and power as God describes himself as “I Am” in the Old Testament.
Just as God was with Christ in his troubles, Jesus promises to be with his faithful. The Lord says in sending out his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. WEB”
Christ Overcame the World
Saying, “peace be with you,” Jesus sent his disciples just as God sent him into a world corrupted by sin. Knowing the trouble his disciples would encounter, Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. WEB”
Jesus’ words are meant to encourage and comfort his disciples in the face of strong opposition. As Christ says in Matthew 10:16, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. NIV” Jesus reassures us that even though we face opposition, we already have victory in his name. As the Lord says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. WEB”
Prayer, “Father God, thank you for the words of instruction given by your Son and my Savior. As you send me into the world, write Christ’s words on my heart and ensure my faithful service to your cause. Help me to live in a way that is pleasing to you. Guide me to do your will here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Vile Passions
