John 20:19-29
19-20Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.
20-21The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”
22-23Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”
24-25But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”
But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”
26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
28Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
29Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
Each of the gospels and the book of Acts record Jesus’ commissioning command to His disciples. John gives unique insight on the commission of Jesus.
Remember how John began His gospel? He began by telling the readers of his gospel that Jesus was the eternal Son who was made all things. In the beginning He breathed into man and commission him to go and fill the earth. Now, at the end of John’s gospel another breath comes to man.
Jesus breathes life into the disciples as He had breathed life into Adam. Like Adam the new creations of Christ followers are to go and fill the earth. Through His new community Jesus is going to turn back the rule of fallen Adam from creation establishing His new Adam rule through the church. Everywhere the gospel goes through the disciples there will be sins forgiven and lives transformed.

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