So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20: 21, NKJV.
Dear heavenly Father, As we draw inspiration from Your Word set to music, we ask that You will allow us to sit in Your presence and be refreshed. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
The most eventful weekend in the history of humankind has just come to an end. Jesus was crucified on Friday and buried. He rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day. It is now the first day of the week, and the Father has sent the most powerful angel in heaven; the one who took Lucifer’s place; Gabriel, to awaken His Son! With the authority with which Jesus laid down His life, He takes it up again!
The disciples are gathered together, behind closed doors, “for fear of the Jews” (19). Jesus appears to them and they are overcome with joy. He shows them His hands and feet, pierced for their sins and ours. He stands triumphant over sin and death! He will tarry with them for a few days, but then He will return to the Father. He now turns and breathes on them, and bids them, “receive the Holy Spirit.” He knows that they will need the power, and guidance of the Holy Spirit, because He is sending them into the world, on a mission, or should I say, the great commission!
The following hymn is one of my favorites. It is very special to me because I sang it as a trio with two of my daughters. Be blessed with the lyrics of this wonderful hymn! The music is equally beautiful!
So Send I You
“So send I you- by grace made strong to triumph o’er hosts of hell, o’er darkness death and sin, “My name to bear, and in that name to conquer- So send I you, My victory to win.
“So send I you- to take to souls in bondage the word of truth that sets the captive free, to break the bonds of sin, to loose death’s fetters- So send I you, to bring the lost to Me.
“So send I you- My strength to know in weakness, My joy in grief, My perfect peace in pain, To prove My power, My grace, My promised presence- So send I you, eternal fruit to gain.
“So send I you- to bear My cross with patience, and then one day with joy to lay it down, To hear My voice, “Well done, My faithful servant- Come share My throne, My kingdom and My crown!” “As the Father hath sent Me, So send I you.” E. Margaret Clarkson/John W. Peterson.