John 20:21 “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.'”

While the resurrection was the last major redemptive event before the ascension, there were 40 days between the Resurrection and the Ascension in which the risen Christ was busy restoring and equipping the disciples for ministry without his physical presence.

He began by reminding them of the peace that was theirs because of the atonement. Their sin had been paid for, and God’s wrath against their sin had been fully satisfied on the cross. The conditions for God’s shalom peace to begin coming back to earth had been met. God’s peace would begin with the followers of Christ who would strive to do his will on Earth just as it is done joyfully in Heaven.

He then gives them the commission to go out with the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ. He “sends” them out. This concept of being sending or being sent is very common in John’s Gospel. Over and over again Jesus referred to himself as being send by the Father. His ministry was divine and his mission was not one of a mere man to mere men, but initiated and empowered by the Godhead for the salvation of mankind.

Jesus brought God’s kingdom near and now he gives the mission to his disciples to spread his kingdom, but not through political or military conquest. Christ’s followers call lost souls to leave the kingdom of darkness and find God’s peace in the Kingdom of his dear Son, King Jesus. This is our Easter mission. We have a story to tell. We have salvation to offer. We have a peace proposal that is not only good news, but the only hope for mankind.

How has God sent you? How can you be his messenger and ambassador in your work, in your neighborhood, and in your family? He is risen! He has risen indeed, but he rises to send us out. Let’s go!