Title: Recognize Your Worth /John 20:19-24
Content Recognize your worth. /John 20:19-24
Wilhelm I, who became king of the German Empire in 1861, made Bismarck as Prime Minister in 1862 and held a grand banquet, asking all his subjects. “You guys! How much do you think you can price Jim, the king of this great Germanic nation?”
As if the servants were competing for loyalty, when the price was continuously raised by 20 billion marks and 30 billion marks, Bismarck said, “If I tell you what I think in my own way, I will give you 29 marks.” When the king asked the reason, he said, “Yes, this is my calculation. Since Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, the Lord of all things, was sold for 30 silver, it is natural for Jesus, the Savior of all mankind, to take 30 marks. The offering of the 29 marks is coming.”
The Bible we read together today happened on the same evening that the news of the resurrection of Jesus was first delivered to the women. The disciples, who had not yet met the risen Lord, were gathering in one place and closing all the doors because they were afraid of the Jews. Then the risen Lord came among them and spoke. I hope you will be able to see the Lord giving great value to the disciples during this time.
1. First, look at the disciples who have completely lost the value of discipleship.
After Jesus died on the cross, the disciples were utterly negative about everything. I can't find the pride and pride I had as a disciple of the Lord for the past three years. Now that Jesus is gone, he has become a sinner with the shame of betraying his master. Everyone knows that being successful places a lot of value in themselves. But those who fail suffer from a profound confusion of values. They suffer from a sense of inferiority towards worthless beings. They lose their worth in the world. That's why people think about suicide.
2. At this time, Jesus came to the disciples.
“Peace be with you!” If you lose your peace of mind, all your values will be shaken up. Confusion. Nothing can be done. So I prayed for peace. With the death of Jesus on the cross, which I trusted and depended on, all peace was lost. Therefore, praying for peace, he showed them the hands that had been crucified and the side that had been pierced with a spear. True peace lies in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. All peace in the world is temporary. However, the peace that resurrection brings is eternal. (John 14:27) In a time of great confusion of values, when everything is vain and vain, quietly meet the Lord of the resurrection. And regain your composure.
3. It is Jesus who acknowledges the disciples and builds them up again.
Jesus reads the pitiful hearts of his disciples who are discouraged in shame and guilt. As soon as they fall, we are counting the spirit of the broken disciples. Jesus doesn't want to inflict any more pain on his wounded disciples. Now you know what they need is healing, encouragement, and getting up again. Jesus gives three words to acknowledge the worth of the disciples, who are discouraged because they have failed and are of no value.
① “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
This means that Jesus sees the disciples who failed as they did before they failed. “A man who works does not think that the wages he receives are as a result of grace, but as a reasonable remuneration” (Romans 4:4). Jesus sees us as grace. It is entirely because of your merits that you have done for us.
② “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
When Jesus was present, Jesus was our everything. But after the resurrection and ascension, nothing can be done without the Holy Spirit. Only be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is required, not optional. It is not your will and determination to lead a life of faith. No diligent effort can shape the person of Jesus. It can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit.
③ If anyone’s sins are forgiven, they will be forgiven.”
It is written, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). The Lord makes us realize our worth as we look at the world and change more and more negatively in a sense of loss. In the image of Christians living in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord wants to reproduce Himself. Only receive the Holy Spirit. And become the Christ of this age living in the name of Jesus Christ.
Your worth living in the name of Jesus may not be 30 shekels, but it will be 29 shekels.