Just as the Father Sent His Son, so Jesus Sends Us

Thursday, July 23rd, 2026

4:33 am

Good morning! Today I am in Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, and John 19-23. The two men that were headed to the village of Emmaus, went to Jerusalem instead, and met with the 11 disciples. They went inside to where the disciples were, behind closed doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. As the two men were telling the 11 disciples about Jesus appearing to them, Jesus suddenly appeared. He tells them, "Peace be with you." But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost. He asked them why they were afraid. Asking them if their hearts were filled with doubt? He told them to look and touch His hands and feet so they will know He is not a ghost. Telling them that He is not a ghost because ghosts don't have bodies like He does. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. He asked them if they had anything to eat. And they gave Him a piece of boiled fish, and watched Him eat it. He tells them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you." Then He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

The disciples were having a hard time believing that Jesus had appeared to His followers, so when He appeared to them, He showed His hands and feet so they could see He was not a ghost. He even ate in front of them. Then He tells them to have peace. Through seeing Jesus for themselves, they had peace that He truly was alive. Then He breathed the Holy Spirit into them, empowering them to go out and share the Good News for themselves. Just as God sent His Son, so Jesus sent them out, and He does the same for us.

When we believe the truth, that Jesus rose from the dead, and is alive today, He breathes His Holy Spirit into us so we will have the courage and boldness to share the Good News with the world. Just as Jesus sent the disciples out, He sends us out today to share the Good News of what Jesus did for every person. That Holy Spirit gives us the guidance and the power to do God's work. And God has given us the authority to do what He asks us to do. We are to walk in that power and authority so we can help His people. Just as God sent His Son, Jesus sends us out and gives us the power and authority we need to share His Good News with the world around us. Allow God to fill you with that power and authority as you go out today. Be bold and courageous for Him.