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by Sandy Shaw
In John Chapter John 20 and at verse 19 we see the disciples of Jesus Christ in a room – the Upper Room – and the doors are locked because these men are afraid. Jesus, their Lord and Master, had been betrayed by a friend, arrested, led away, and crucified, and these men thought they might be next on the list. By now, rumours were rife.
Some had said that they had seen Jesus alive! Some were also saying – don’t be silly – we saw Him crucified – we saw Him laid in the tomb – we cannot believe what they women said – they are delirious. Luke alludes to that.
Then Peter says – it is true – I saw Him risen and alive. O, Peter, be quiet – you’re confused – you cannot think straight.
In Luke, we read of two disciples returning to Jerusalem, and these two men had met the risen Jesus on the Emmaus Road, and they are so excited as they explain everything to those in the room.
And so – they are all speaking about Jesus. Some are broken and bruised and dejected. Some are saying – “Look, He is risen and alive and we have seen Him”.
And then, as if to settle everything, Jesus appeared in the midst of them said, “Peace be unto you”.
It is the first day of the week. The risen Jesus comes to His men – the living Christ comes to His disciples and speaks to them.
Do we need the risen Christ to speak to us once again? Paul needed that on at least one occasion.
Jesus comes and deals with their fears. They were afraid of the Jews.
They were afraid because things had not gone the way they thought things were going to go.
They were also ashamed. They felt guilty and unclean inside. They had deserted Christ in His hour of need. They had run off and left Him. They had let Him down.
And the risen Jesus comes to forgive them.
He calms their fears. He wants their hearts to be filled with His peace.
It is as if Jesus sees that some of His disciples are still not sure and He showed them His hands and His side. Look at my hands and my feet. I am real.
It is really me. Look at the marks of the nails. Look at the wounds and the scars.
I am real. I am risen and alive. I said I would rise before I went to the Cross. Well, here I am.
Then, were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. These men were glad when they at last saw and realised it was Jesus.
When the risen Jesus comes and appears or speaks He changes people – hearts – attitudes – and lives.
Jesus says to them again, Peace be unto you. No longer be troubled or worried or anxious in your hearts. Be filled with My peace.
As My Father has sent me, even so am I sending you. How was Jesus sent into the world?
He was born of the Spirit – conceived by the Holy Spirit – and when He came up out of the River Jordan He was anointed with the Holy Spirit – the anointing power of the Holy Spirit.
And Jesus says – As My Father sent me that is how I am sending you.
When He said this He breathed on them and, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.
Seven weeks later they were baptised or anointed with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus was anointed when with the Holy Spirit when He came up out of the River Jordan.
As the Father sent Jesus into the world so Jesus send these Hid Disciples into the world – to preach the Word of God – to heal the sick – to cast out evil spirits – and to minister to the needs of those who come for help.
Here we see the work of the Church of Jesus Christ – here we are given the job description for the Church of Jesus Christ. We are given the same work and the risen Jesus gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to do that work.
Jesus speaks about forgiveness. On that resurrection evening Jesus speaks about the priority of forgiveness. If you have anything against anyone, forgive them. If anyone has wronged you in any way, forgive that person.
Before preaching and witnessing and any other areas of ministry – Jesus emphasises the priority of forgiveness. These disciples were to get rid of any grudge or grievance or resentment. They were to get that flushed out of their system.
Jesus is dealing here with fear and shame and the need to forgive. That was quite a meeting in that Upper Room.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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