Reading through the Gospels #204
JESUS APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES
Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23
The first day of the week, in the evening, the disciples have the door locked because they fear harm from the Jews. If they killed Jesus, then the followers of Jesus might be next!
Without the door opening, Jesus was suddenly standing there before them! A resurrected body does not have to go through doors. I can only imagine what was going through the disciples thoughts of shock. Luke's version adds that they thought they saw a spirit aka ghost which startled and frightened them.
Jesus said, "Peace be with you." I love that greeting which was common in the day, but I love it even more when Jesus says it. Surely they recognized his voice and it calmed their shocking fear realizing it was actually Jesus before them. Luke's version adds Jesus saying, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?" I love his care and concern for how they feel. Jesus showed them His hands and His side where he was wounded on the cross. In Luke's version Jesus invites them to see and touch because if he were a spirit aka ghost, they would not be able to touch Him. Now the disciples really knew it was Him and they were glad, even though they were struggling to believe.
However, in Luke he adds, "And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling," and I find myself pondering what "disbelief for joy" means! The joy would be their faith that He was really real and right there before them, but the disbelief would be their feeling that this was too good to be true. It is that state of shock where you know it is true, but are still exclaiming to yourself how crazy it is that something so unbelievable is actually possible. I think dumbfounded and stunned are good words! They were having a pinch-me moment! Those jarred minds were processing the logical to lead towards total acceptance and peace of mind. It is where disbelief in processing reality meets the joy of the heart that already knows it is real. Joy leads as understanding unfolds. Could this be real? Could sorrow unravel so fast? They held onto the moment in marvel as if joy itself needed time to take root and settle into something they could hold onto forever.
Verse 41 JOY: Concordance G5479 chara: χαρά, Pronounced khar-ah' (khar-ah') Meaning joy, gladness, delight, greatly joyful, from the root word G5463 (χαίρω - rejoice); Found 59 times in the Greek New Testament.
Jesus asked them if they had anything to eat and they gave Him some fish and He ate it. This was another way to show them that He was flesh and bones and not just a ghost to help their belief. Jesus helps their hearts and minds align in belief, letting joy become real.
Jesus repeats his first greeting and adds to it, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." Jesus was sending them to continue the work that He had begun. As He said this, He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Jesus did not just send out the disciples on their own, the third part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, went with them.
The word for breathe is the same as in Genesis 2:7, "Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."
Then he said, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." Jesus gave the disciples authority by the Holy Spirit to proclaim forgiveness and to warn of guilt. Jesus also gave the disciples authority to withhold forgiveness to the unrepentant. That is a huge responsibility!
Note: There are a total of five appearances of Jesus on Resurrection Day. (1) Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18; (2) Other women (Matthew 28:9-10; (3) Two on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-32; Peter (Luke 24:33-35, 1 Corinithians15:5; (4) Ten of the disciples, Thomas being absent (John 20:19-23.
In the LCMS, Confession and Absolution (John 20:19–23) is considered the Office of the Keys, where pastors, acting in persona Christi (in the stead of Christ) officially declare, or withhold, God’s forgiveness to individuals, with the promise that such absolution is valid in heaven. It is an objective assurance of pardon for penitent sinners, applied through Word and Sacrament. All believers are priests, all believers have the authority to forgive sins. In public ministry it's necessary to be orderly. When a Pastor is installed into a Church, that Church gives him the Office of Keys until such time as he leaves and gives it back.
The Lutheran Witness: Although the power to forgive sins (or not forgive them) always belongs to and remains with the church, Luther explains that when pastors called and ordained by the church to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments on behalf of the church declare to penitent sinners that their sins are forgiven, they do this by the command of Christ, who granted this power to the church.
CATECHISM:
Third Commandment. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
--What is valuable about liturgical worship? Confession and Absolution (John 20:19-23)
The "Office of the Keys" is exercised when pastors declare the forgiveness of sins to penitent sinners, which is as valid as if Christ himself were doing it, based on this scripture.
--What is the significance of the Sabbath for the Church today? D. Therefore, Christians gladly hear God's Word and set aside time to worship on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead. (John 20:19-31)
The Second Article of the Apostle's Creed (Part 1, Jesus Christ). What does it mean to confess that Jesus is Lord? It means to acknowledge that He rules over all things as our Creator and Redeemer, and that Jesus is the Lord God Himself (Yahweh) in our human flesh. (Read John 4:42; John 20:20-24.)
The Third Article of the Apostle's Creed (Part 2, Holy Spirit). What are some of the privileges and responsibilities of members of the Church? D. We should tell others about Jesus, participate in works of mercy and service, and support the ministry of the church with prayer and financial gifts. John 20:21 "I am sending you." (John 20:21)
The Third Article of the Apostle's Creed (Part 1, Holy Spirit). What does it mean that I am enlightened with His gifts? Christ is made known to me by means of the Spirit's gifts of Word, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper (the Means of Grace) (John 20:22-23)
The Third Article of the Apostle's Creed (Part 2, Holy Spirit). When my sins condemn me and I am doubting, how can I be sure of my forgiveness and salvation? C. I can be sure because God tells me that I am His and my sins are forgiven as the Gospel is declared to me in the spoken Word, in Baptism, in the Absolution, and in the Lord's Supper. (John 20:22-23)
Means of Grace. How many sacraments are there? Holy Absolution is sometimes (and properly) counted as a "third sacrament." Holy Baptism and Lord' Supper and first two. (John 20:22-23)
The Office of the Keys. What special authority has Christ given to His Church on earth? God alone forgives sins through Christ Jesus. Christ has given to His Church, and only to His Church, that is, the whole redeemed people of God, the authority to forgive the sins of all who repent and to withhold His forgiveness from those who will not repent. (John 20:22-23)
The Third Article of the Apostle's Creed (Part 2, Holy Spirit). How is the Church different from all other communities? B. The Church is the only community in the world in which God "daily and richly forgives my sins and the sins of all believers." Therefore, it is called "holy" and the "communion of saints." (John 20:23)
Confession. How should we regard the Absolution spoken by the pastor? When the pastor absolves us, that is, says, "I forgive you all your sins," he speaks with Christ's authority and on His behalf. Therefore, we can firmly believe that God Himself has completely forgiven our sins. (John 20:23)
The Second Article (Part 1, Jesus Christ). What does it mean for us as human creatures that the Son of God has become our Brother? It means that God has become man, sharing our humanity in all things but sin. B. Jesus has a human body and soul. (Luke 24:39)
April 4, 2026