40 Days of Prayer - Bobbi White
 

“AS THE FATHER SENT ME, SO I SEND YOU”
 JOHN 20:19-22
 
John 20: 19-22:
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
 
After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 
Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 
 
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you.
 As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
 
When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
 "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
 
Many of us approach the General Assembly, wishing that we could stay behind locked doors. “What will this General Assembly mean for our churches? Who will be unhappy?” Probably everyone? There is no way we can agree on everything that the General Assembly does. But, our theology says that the Holy Spirit will work through our Assembly. We are people called not to be behind locked doors for fear of the outside. Jesus came and stood among the disciples. I believe he is present and standing among us.
 
After he shows them his hands and side, then the disciples could believe. We are those who have believed and not seen. Jesus also comes to us, saying “Peace be with you,” “My peace I give you.”
 
Jesus then says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Earlier in the gospel of John, Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me so I love you” and “Love one another, as I have loved you.” Being sent as Jesus was sent is an awesome responsibility.
 
When Jesus sent the disciples, Jesus gave the disciples the Holy Spirit. He gives us the Holy Spirit. It is with confidence that Jesus sends us with the Holy Spirit that we can believe the Holy Spirit is already at work in each of us, this General Assembly and our denomination. Moreover, we can trust the promise that God will be at work in us after the GA, at work in our lives, the churches, our denomination and the world.
 
Prayer: Creator and Creating Lord, open our eyes to see you at work in our lives, in those who are at General Assembly, in our churches and in this denomination. Open our ears to hear your word and guidance. Gives us the peace, joy and grace we need to serve you and your people, with the energy, intelligence, imagination, and love that you have given us. Send us with your Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ, who loves us and sends us.
 
General Assembly\GA 2010\John 20
 
Bobbi White
General Presbyter
Western North Carolina Presbytery