- If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. John 20:23 – Interesting verse huh? After reading it and it even sparking my curiosity I tried to dig a little deeper to fully understand what’s its saying and here’s a little of what I found. One, don’t take this as if we go around declaring one person forgiven, they are now forgiven of all their sins. Or the other way around with being unforgiven. That’s not a power any of us have or should have. Yet we can keep someone in an unforgiven state if we who have the gospel truth refuse to forgive them ourselves of the wrong they’ve done to us and hold back the truth from them. I think that’s what this passage is getting at. Those you choose to forgive and actually share the gospel truth to, they’ll have the truth of forgiveness opened to them. Those you hold back your forgiveness from at the same time won’t have the truth opened to them. Be sure then to forgive so they can have the opportunity to seek forgiveness from God. Don’t let your hurt be what keeps someone from finding Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1412
- When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:20-21 – Throughout His ministry Jesus was prepping His disciples for this send out. He told them multiple times that He was readying them to be the light of the world and salt of the earth carrying the message of His gospel to the world. Yet dwell for a moment on the image the disciples are seeing and the message they are hearing. They just witness Jesus crucified, and now they are seeing Him in front of them. They see the holes in his hands and side which likely remind them of the brutal scene they witnessed just days ago. Now, this same Jesus, is telling them that as He was sent, He was sending them. Jesus wasn’t sending them to rainbows and roses, He was sending them to carry their cross daily and even be willing to hang on it for Him too. In that moment likely fears, worries, and anxieties would strive to take point of the situation, which is why Jesus’ first word to them was “Peace.” He knows this is a big call, but He knows in His power and His ability to keep them. If He could defeat death, He can do anything. Know today this same call is being placed on our life today as disciples of Jesus. As Jesus was sent, we are sent. Let go of this world, live holy for Jesus, and make the message of His good new the message your life proclaims. Will this sending out result in your seeing for yourself some of the pains Jesus felt? Likely, but know He is worth it and He is able to bring peace even in those spaces. Jesus is alive, let’s give our life over to sharing that message, even if it means giving up our life. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2770
Daily DEVO 