Daily Devotions
John
John 20:19-31 "PREACHING THE MESSAGE OF FORGIVENESS"
Day 346 – John 20
PREACHING THE MESSAGE OF FORGIVENESS
The Disciples must have recalled the ministry of John the Baptizer even as Jesus spoke to them about the work that they were going to do! John’s powerful voice rang out in the wilderness, urging people to repent from their sins.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 3:2
This work seems easy! After all, it was just proclaiming one message, long and loud! But was it? To announce that the kingdom of heaven is at hand is not difficult, but how does one bring about conviction of the heart? How does one cause multitudes to come to repent of their sins? This was not an easy work that Jesus was entrusting them!
The Disciples must also have recalled how Jesus Himself preached the same theme. He too had said,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17
Jesus also had a tremendous preaching ministry! To preach is one thing. To have a great preaching ministry is quite another! No, the work of preaching the message of forgiveness was not an easy task at all. Did Jesus expect them to do well in this ministry? Then they would need the power of the Spirit of God badly!
THE BATTLE AGAINST SIN
The ministry of preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was essentially an attack against the deadly enemy, Sin! The message of forgiveness seems so wonderful that we cannot imagine why anyone could dismiss it! However, the truth of the matter was that many resisted the message of forgiveness! Many opposed the message of the Gospel vehemently.
The Disciples saw with their own eyes how people were unwilling to deal with their sin problems! They would much rather stay in darkness than to come to the light! They would rather kill Jesus than to admit that they were slaves to sin.
The battle against sin had to be waged! It would take tremendous spiritual power to battle sin, for none other than the devil himself backed it up. In a heated debate, Jesus identified two main problems that the Jews had overlooked.
Sin is never just a deed! Sin always seeks to enslave!
“Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin
is a slave of sin.”
John 8:34
The Jews were terribly enslaved by sin, and yet they did not even know that sin was their master!
But there was something worse! Jesus had to tell the Jews forthrightly, about the role of Satan.
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires
of your father you want to do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a
lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a
liar and the father of it.”
John 8:44
There, Jesus said that boldly and clearly! The preaching of forgiveness always involves a confrontation with sin, sinners and Satan! The ministry of preaching the message of forgiveness was not quite as simple as it may appear to be.
A MINISTRY FRAUGHT WITH DANGER
Jesus had warned His Disciples time and again that following Him meant taking up the cross. Whoever was serious about following Him must be prepared to suffer and die! He Himself lived out what He had taught.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat
falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; and
if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life
will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will
keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow
Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If
anyone serves Me, him My father will honour.”
John 12:24-26
The Disciples had just gone through a harrowing time, seeing Jesus arrested and crucified! The ministry that Jesus was going to entrust them was fraught with very real danger. They could not shy away from it! Would the Disciples have enough courage and strength to stand up for the truth?
COURAGE FOR MINISTRY FOUND
Peter was the first of the Disciples to stand up courageously to preach the message of forgiveness, confronting sin as well! Luke highlighted Peter’s message to the Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost. Peter had understood the ministry Jesus spoke about!
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth,
a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders,
and signs … Him … you have taken by lawless hands,
have crucified, and put to death!”
Acts 2:22-23