Bruised For Me

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19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:19-23)

Mary had told the disciples about the empty tomb and about seeing the risen Jesus, so when Jesus appeared in the locked room where the disciples were hiding they had to be overjoyed. There was no doubt that it was indeed Jesus because his wounds, the evidence of our sin, remained on him. Jesus had borne the weight of our sins so that we could be unburdened and unblemished, but he remained scarred. The marks on Jesus' body did not only serve as undeniable identification, but also as undeniable reminders of our guilt and the true cost of our sin.

Jesus then released the disciples from their self-imposed prison by sending them just as God had sent him. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on them and reminded them of the link between their own forgiveness and their willingness to forgive. After all, if they were going to leave that room and offer hope to the world, they would have to forgive themselves, each other, and the society at large that had enabled and sanctioned the Redeemer's torture. Otherwise the cross - Jesus' suffering - would be for nothing.

That charge is now on us. Will we nullify Jesus' pain and suffering by continuing to inflict pain and suffering on one another, refusing to forgive, refusing to see the good God makes? Or, will we allow Jesus' resurrection to unlock our hearts, to acknowledge that, while we were not worthy, Jesus took our penalty upon himself? Reminded of the price Jesus paid for us, may we freely give the grace and peace

we've been given through forgiveness.

15 Shouts of joy and victory

resound in the tents of the righteous:

“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!

16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;

the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”

17 I will not die but live,

and will proclaim what the Lord has done.

18 The Lord has chastened me severely,

but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;

I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.

20 This is the gate of the Lord

through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;

you have become my salvation.

(Psalm 118:15-21)