##DailyDevotion Want The Peace Of Christ, Go To Confession

John 20:19–23 ¹⁹That Sunday evening the doors were locked where the disciples were, because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace to you!” ²⁰When He said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were delighted to see the Lord. ²¹“Peace to you!” Jesus said to them again. “As the Father sent Me, so I send you.” ²²When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Well, despite having received news from the women that Jesus was risen from the dead and that they had seen Jesus, the disciples had locked themselves in the place they were staying. They were hiding there because they were afraid of the Jews, i.e. the ruling priests, Pharisees and Scribes who had killed Jesus.

Locked doors are no challenge for our risen LORD. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Shalom! Peace to you!” That’s a pretty good greeting from the one they had abandoned when he was arrested and one who had denied he even knew Jesus. The pastor speaks this peace to the congregation several times during the service. The most important one is no doubt after the words of institution and before the distribution of his body and blood. With that peace the congregation receives forgiveness from Jesus and they extend that forgiveness to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ before receiving the Supper.

When Jesus gives them his peace he shows them his hands and his side. He does this to demonstrate it is really him, in the flesh. Seeing Jesus for themselves they are delighted. It was better than they could ever expect. Jesus again says, “Peace to you!” We are pretty dense people and yes, we need to hear it twice. The things that hang on in our conscience are pretty hard to let go of sometimes. Satan, the accuser, the world and even our own flesh are always there pointing out our sins. Jesus’ peace assures us he will not listen to those accusations as we place our faith in him.

With this second peace, Jesus institutes the office of the Holy Ministry. In Matthew when he establishes the Holy Ministry he commands them to go into the world to baptize and to teach the nations in his name to make disciples of them. Here in John he establishes the rite of Confession and Absolution. Jesus is sending them as he was sent by the Father. Breathing on them he says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³Whenever you forgive people’s sins, they are forgiven; whenever you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” In case you weren’t sure, the breathing is the speaking the words. Jesus gives his authority to those he places in the Holy Ministry to forgive and retain sins. It is a wonder gift to the Church that Jesus provides pastors who speak in his name, in his stead, with his authority and by his command the forgiveness or the retaining of sins. It is true we can always pray to God for forgiveness on account of Jesus’ sacrifice. We don’t normally hear the words of forgiveness from him then though. Jesus knows we need to hear those words, as from himself in heaven, through the mouth of the one he has sent, namely your pastor. When you hear your pastor speak absolution you can be certain that your sins are forgiven.

Heavenly Father, always sent forth pastors who speak in the stead and by the command of Jesus the words of forgiveness so we may live in your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.