Eyes Wide Open: 40-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

As the Father Sent Me

“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!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’” - John 20:19-21 

Fear had gripped the disciples so deeply that they put a deadbolt on the door, locking themselves in—and the world out. What were they afraid of? Were they afraid that the same people who put Jesus on the cross would come after them? That they might face the pain and humiliation of the crucifixion themselves?

Yet the work of Jesus on the cross was essential. Why? To die for the sins of the world, certainly, but is that all? Was it not also to liberate the oppressed, challenge injustice, and confront corrupt systems of power and authority? Jesus came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God, which subverts the kingdom of this world.

Ponder his words for a moment: ”As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” The commission Jesus is giving his disciples, the commission he gives us, is a dangerous one. It is one that involves suffering. It is a commission that caused Jesus’ death.

Jesus’ overarching purpose was to inaugurate the Kingdom of God on this earth. If we want to follow Jesus, we are called to join him in the renewal of all things. We are not only to pray that his kingdom would come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven, but we are to liveinto that prayer. After all, faith without works is dead.

We have been sent into the world through prayer and action to join God in seeing his kingdom become tangible in our neighborhoods and cities. Do you realize that God has sent you to be a blessing to the world?

Father, we not only thank you for sending your Son into the world to bring forgiveness, peace, and love, but thank you, Jesus, for sending us into the world, so that we might bless the world, like you did. Give us courage to open the doors of opportunity that you give us by the power of your Spirit. Bring forgiveness to those overcome with guilt, and reconciliation to those the world has made enemies. Help us bring peace to those who are anxious and worried, and grant us the grace to be agents of redemption in all we do. Amen.

- Written by JR Woodward