On Sunday, April 15, we explored the idea that Jesus can and will appear in the middle of the spaces in our hearts and lives that we have closed off and locked up tight. He comes to this space, not to bring additional fear, that is why we have sealed off this space in the first place! No, Jesus comes to bring us peace, shalom. We have prayed, and I hope you will continue to pray, that Jesus will prepare us for his appearance in our sealed-off places.
There is another significant piece to the passage we were discussing (John 20:19-31). Jesus told his disciples, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." Then, he breathed on them, giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is John's version of what we usually think of as the Day of Pentecost. Luke's version in Acts 2 comes some 50 days later and is told in much elaborate detail, but the main point of both versions is that the disciples receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and a charge to spread the gospel.
Before, they were disciples. After, they were apostles. A disciple is one who learns. An apostle is one who is sent. Isn't it time we made the transition from disciple to apostle?
Hold on there, Preacher! I wasn't there when Jesus told the disciples that he was sending them, so maybe that means only they were apostles, and not me!
Nice try.
Sure, they are the Apostles (notice the capital A?). They were the first apostles, the ones who witnessed the resurrected Christ in the flesh. Nevertheless, we also are apostles, because through this passage Jesus speaks to us, Jesus sends us. If it were not so, then the Bible is a dead book and can have no real affect on us in our time and place in the world. Besides, Thomas wasn't there when Jesus said those words (you remember "Doubting Thomas" don't you?). Would you deny Thomas the role of Apostle?
Some of us are still young in the Christian faith, so it is appropriate for these to keep their focus on learning, on being disciples. Most of us have been in the faith for many years and it is time we made the transition!
We never stop being disciples; there is always more to learn. Likewise, even when we are babes in the faith, little baby disciples, we have received the charge to tell others about it. The more mature we are in the faith, the more clearly we are able to articulate it.
Consider this, Mary Magdelene encountered the resurrected Christ and in a matter of moments, he sent her (apostle: one who is sent) to spread the word. We all have the responsibility and the calling to tell others about what Jesus has done for them! The easiest, simplest way to start is by sharing what Jesus has done for you. Mary Magdalene's first witness was very simple, "I have seen the Lord!" Give it just a tiny bit of thought and it will not be difficult to come up with something Jesus has done for you.
By all means, keep on being a disciple, keep on learning. But let us make that very important transition into apostleship. The Word of God (Jesus) sends us into the world to share the good news: Jesus Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God's love toward us!
Be an apostle, tell somebody today!
Be blessed,
Pastor Mark
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