As He Was Sent

John 20:19-23

As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. (John 20:21)

WHEN JESUS CAME DOWN from heaven (John 3:13), he came as a human, not a divine being. Philippians 2 describes him as having left the heavenly abode and the privileges of deity; taking the form of a man; living as a servant, even to the point of death; and being exalted into heaven again. While on earth, Jesus often interacted with his Father in heaven (Luke 5:16), saw and heard heavenly things (John 5:19-20; 12:49-50), received the ministry of heaven’s angels (Matthew 4:11), and had experiences of heavenly glory (Luke 9:28-36). The implication is that even as a human being Jesus had access to heaven’s resources. God sent him—in his image, in his power—for a purpose.

Part of that purpose was for Jesus to send his followers out in the same way he had been sent. We can imagine that commissioning from many angles: having the same agenda, the same methods, the same character, the same power, and the same relational dynamics. We can even imagine encountering the same kinds of opposition that Jesus experienced and, in some parts of the world, the same suffering.

Jesus made this sending specific with two examples of what the mission would include: the same Holy Spirit and the same focus on forgiveness. In short, he commissioned us to represent him and work in his name with more freedom and license than we normally are willing to take upon ourselves.

Perhaps we don’t want to be presumptuous, or assume divine privileges, or equate ourselves too closely with the unique Son of God. But while it’s true that Jesus is exceptional, he is also our example, and he invites us into his fruitfulness, his inheritance, and even his authority. Our reluctance to claim too much may come from humility, but it amounts to a denial of God’s gifts and calling on our lives. He has created us to be Kingdom influencers and world changers.

Your ministry may never be as dramatic as that of Jesus or the early apostles. But don’t limit your vision. Learn to draw from heaven’s resources—whatever it takes. Ask the Father for guidance and the Spirit for power. Live to carry the Son’s mission forward.

{Jesus, thank you for the privilege of bearing your name, though I can hardly imagine bearing your fruit. Teach me. Empower me. Send me wherever and however you choose. Let your Kingdom flourish in me and through me. Amen.