John 20:21
John 20:21 (KJV) says: Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
This verse is part of the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples. It takes place on the evening of the first day of the week, the same day Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus appeared to His disciples who were gathered in a locked room for fear of the Jews. He showed them His hands and side, proving that He had indeed risen from the dead.
In this particular verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples and saying, “Peace be unto you.” The phrase “Peace be unto you” was a common greeting in Jewish culture, but in this context, it carries a deeper meaning. Jesus is not merely offering a customary greeting; He is imparting peace to His disciples in a spiritual sense. The peace Jesus offers is a result of His victory over sin and death, and it brings reconciliation with God.
The second part of the verse states, “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Here, Jesus is commissioning His disciples to continue the work that He began. Jesus was sent by the Father to fulfil the mission of salvation, and now He is sending His disciples to carry on that mission. This commission is not limited to the original disciples but extends to all believers who follow Jesus.
By comparing His sending to the way the Father sent Him, Jesus emphasises the authority and purpose of His disciples’ mission. Just as Jesus was sent by the Father with a specific purpose, the disciples are sent by Jesus with a divine mission. They are to proclaim the good news of salvation, make disciples of all nations, and continue the work of building God’s kingdom on earth.
This verse reminds us that as followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to carry on His mission. We are called to be ambassadors of peace, to share the good news of salvation, and to demonstrate the love and grace of God to the world around us. Jesus empowers us with the Holy Spirit to fulfil this mission, just as He promised to His disciples later in the book of Acts.
