Ambassadors!

Ambassadors!

John 20:21 AMP

[21] Then Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you [as My representatives].”

We can read about the account of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and appreciate the sacrifice that brought us all we have now, but picture the disciples at that time. They had met and closely followed a Master who did mighty miracles before them. The dead were raised back to life, the lame walked, the blind had their sight restored, and many souls were converted. They believed their Master was beyond reproach or shame, so it must have been very hard for them to accept that He could be arrested and treated like a common criminal. Peter said so, and Jesus rebuked him for trying to stop the plan of God for the whole of mankind. 

Jesus was indeed arrested and put to death, but thank God that this is not where the story ended. Jesus was raised to life, defeating the power of sin, death and the devil, and securing eternal life for all who would come to put their total faith in Him. The disciples could not fully understood the impact of what Jesus did, and fear had made them go into a locked room. They were hiding from the Jews, but that did not stop Jesus from appearing before them, and pronouncing those immortal wrods: "Peace be unto you". Nothing can limit the One who gave His all to secure an eternal inheritance for me. No scheme of man, or the machinations and powers of hell can limit the power and effect of what Jesus has done. 

The verse above refers to the legacy that Jesus left for His disciples, and it has to be our hearts' comfort. His Peace is not subject to my convenience or acceptance; it is always available, whether I embrace it or not. It is not subject to the world's manipulation, because it is not first and foremost of physical quality. There is no experience on earth that can fully explain the effect of the Peace that only Jesus gives. It is an inner Presence; it is the Person of Jesus, who introduces Himself as the Prince of Peace. He has the capacity and capability to give of that which He is. As we know, a man can only give you out of that which He has. 

For the disciples then, Jesus gave His Word of assurance of His Peace and Presence. It is still the same message for the disciple today. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever. Dispensations may change, but God's demand for lives that will show off His power has not diminished. He is always ready to supply all that we need for life and Godliness, and we must embrace His grace. As the verse above also makes clear, being His disciple means being His representative. Wherever I stand, I proclaim publicly the identity of the One who lives inside me. He seeks men He can send to impact the world for Him. Can He count on me? Can He count on you? God's time of favour is here.