Wednesday, April 22, 2015
John 20:21-23 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
KEYS AND SPIRIT
Appearing on Easter evening, Jesus wasted no time in preparing his disciples for their life's work. They were to go out into the world and preach his Message. They would tell people about God, and sin, and sin's consequences, and how God sent his Son to save them from hell.
When they came into contact with people who were clearly NOT SORRY about their sins, they were bound by Christ's command to tell them that their sins were still on them.
When they came across people who were clearly SORRY about their sins, they were bound to tell them that through Christ their sins were forgiven in full.
We sometimes call this the "Office of the Keys."
It's a heavy thing to tell a person, "You are obviously not sorry for sinning against God, and so your sin remains on you. You have no part in Christ."
It's an amazing thing to tell someone, "I can see you're sorry about what you've done, and that you trust in Christ as your Savior. So, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
To help his disciples with this great responsibility, Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would help them to properly proclaim sins forgiven, or not forgiven, in the name of the Father. The same Holy Spirit helps us today.
Through the Word of God, Jesus tells us today, "Peace be with you. I'm alive. Peace be with you. I give you the Holy Spirit as your guide. Speak my Word. Use the keys. Don't be afraid. Reach sinners in my Name."
