父怎样差遣了耶稣

耶稣对早期跟随祂的人说的这番话，非常引人注目。他们已见过父藉着耶稣行了很多奇事：医治病人、叫瞎子看见、传扬神的国的好消息。

现在耶稣说，父怎样差遣了祂，祂也照样差遣他们。这句话是什么意思呢？

第一，凡跟随耶稣的人，都蒙召参与神在世上的使命。我们不可以单单像旁观者那样观看神的作为，我们有一个使命，就是呼召罪人悔改、和把神的爱带给被忽视的人。耶稣说我们有权不赐下赦免，但祂的话断不能成为我们报复的许可证。相反来说，我们必须表明，神的国的好消息是我们救恩的中心。

第二，耶稣是已经升天的主，祂会赐我们所需的能力，来完成这件差事的。基督的同在，除去我们的恐惧和带给我们平安；圣灵的能力改变了耶稣的跟随者，他们便能放胆去参与神的事工。信徒便有勇气，藉着耶稣自己的慈爱恩典和真理，他们便能应付罪恶和各种具挑战性的问题了。

父怎样差遣了耶稣，那些跟随升了天的主的人，也照样被差遣进入世界。在今天，惟愿我们以圣灵引导的信心勇往直前。

圣灵啊，我软弱害怕时，求你加添我的力量。当我迎战罪恶、传讲赦罪之道、和分享神的慈爱和智慧时，惟愿其他人能藉着我经历到耶稣伟大的爱。阿们。

19那日，就是七日的第一日晚上，门徒所在的地方，因怕犹太人，门都关了。耶稣来站在当中，对他们说：“愿你们平安！”
20说了这话，就把手和肋旁指给他们看。门徒看见主，就喜乐了。
21耶稣又对他们说：“愿你们平安！父怎样差遣了我，我也照样差遣你们。”
22说了这话，就向他们吹一口气，说：“你们受圣灵！
23你们赦免谁的罪，谁的罪就赦免了；你们留下谁的罪，谁的罪就留下了。”

As The Father Sent Jesus

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” - John 20:21

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These words of Jesus to his first followers are remarkable. They had seen many amazing things the Father had done through Jesus: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, bringing the good news of God’s kingdom.

Now Jesus was saying that just as the Father had sent him, he was sending his followers. What does this mean?

First, all who follow Jesus are called to participate in God’s mission to the world. Jesus speaks with almighty authority here. We cannot simply live as observers of what God is doing; we have a mission to call sinners to repentance and to bring God’s love to the marginalized. Jesus’ words about withholding forgiveness do not give us a license to be vindictive. Instead, we must show that the good news of God’s kingdom is central to our salvation.

Second, as ascended Lord, Jesus will provide the strength needed to carry out this task. Christ’s presence removes our fear and brings peace; the Holy Spirit’s power turns Jesus’ followers into bold participants in God’s work. This gives believers the courage to address sin and all kinds of challenging problems with the loving grace and truth of Jesus himself.

As the Father sent Jesus, so the followers of the ascended Lord are sent into the world. May we go today with Spirit-led confidence.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, strengthen me where I am weak and fearful. May others experience the bold love of Jesus through me, confronting sin, showing forgiveness, and sharing God’s love and wisdom. Amen.