Today's Passage - John 20:19-23

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 20 : 19-23   ...Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you!  As the father has sent me, I am sending you."...   The God who we believe in is one who "sends".  In this Trinity God, our Father God is a "sending" God as it is written in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He sent His one and only son."  To whom did He send?  To this world He sent His son!  When Jesus was on earth, He made reference to God many times as the "Father who sent me."  It is apparent that God is the one who "sends" and so is Jesus as indicated here, "As the father has sent me, I am sending you."  Mathews 28:19 states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations."   Jesus sent His disciples into this world.   In addition, the Holy Spirit is also the one who "sends".  In chapter 8 of Acts of the Apostles, Philip, filled with the Holy Spirit, was sent to the wilderness to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch; similarly in Act 13  Paul and Barnabas were also  sent by the Holy Spirit to preach in Europe. The Holy Spirit continues to "send" till today.  If not for the Holy Spirit who sent missionaries into China, you and I might not be Christians today; without the sending by the Holy Spirit, no one is willing to forsake all their possessions going into primitive villages to bear witness for the Lord.    In fact, if we examine the Bible and the church history closely, we will notice that this almighty God is willing to work together with us who are weak to fulfill His eternal plan; this is not because He cannot do it alone, but He chooses to work together with His people instead. God actually paved the way for Jesus Christ ever since the Old Testament times, but the Israelites rebelled against God time and again. Yet God had been patiently waiting until the time Jesus was born.  It seemed that God was victorious at the time, I believe even the angels and heavenly hosts were holding their breath until Jesus' mission on earth, His sufferings and His eventual sacrifice on the cross were all accomplished.   The work of salvation has been fulfilled and satan's power was crushed and it is high time to take advantage of this victory to promote the kingdom of heaven.  I also believe that the angels and heavenly hosts are all ready to fight on God's behalf!  But instead, after His resurrection, Jesus entrusted the mission of extending His kingdom to His eleven disciples.  I believe the angels and heavenly hosts were somewhat perplexed, "Lord Jesus, is this your plan? What if these people fail you, would everything be lost?"  But we thank God because He is willing to send us so that His power can be manifested through us who are weak!   May the Lord help us so that we are willing to be sent by God!                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, we thank you for you are willing to send us into this world to bring this good news to its people. Grant us the faith and courage so that we may accomplish this great commission you have entrusted us.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!