July 19, 2026
John 20:19–22
“Sent”
Overview: When Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, He did more than comfort them, He commissioned them. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This week will remind us that the church does not exist merely for itself. God sends His people into everyday places to carry the hope and message of Christ.
Memory Verse for the Week:
John 20:21 (NIV) “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’”
Background & Miscellaneous Insights:
- The events described in the previous section (1-18) took place at the tomb in the early morning of the first day of the week. The evangelist begins his account of what happened later that day, on the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. (Colin G. Kruse, The Gospel According to John, 373)
- The disciples were afraid (understandably), and they took their precautions. Now Jesus came and stood among them. This appears to mean that he had not come through the door in the normal fashion (else what is the point of mentioning the shut door?). (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, 744)
- [John] does not tell us how many disciples were present on this occasion, though the statement in 20:24 that “Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came” suggests ‘the disciples’ included at least the Twelve less Thomas and Judas Iscariot. (Colin G. Kruse, The Gospel According to John, 373)
- Jesus was not limited by closed doors. Miraculously he stood among them, but the precise way he did it is not indicated, “Peace be with you” is the usual Hebrew greeting (e.g., 1 Sam. 25:6). It is likely, however, that on this occasion we should see more in the words than a conventional greeting. After their forsaking Jesus at the time of the arrest the disciples may well have expected rebuke or blame. Instead Jesus pronounces peace on them. (Leon Morris, John, 744)
- The word used for ‘breathe’ is emphysaō, which, though found only here in the New Testament, occurs several times in the Greek Old Testament where it refers to God breathing life into the man formed from the dust and to breath bringing life to the slain in the valley of dry bones. (Colin G. Kruse, The Gospel According to John, 375)
Big Idea:
Where you live is not just where you live; it’s the place God has sent you.
(Jer. 29:4–7; Matt. 5:13–16; 28:19–20; Acts 17:26–27; Rom. 10:13–15; Eph. 2:10)
What does it mean to be a sent people?
- We are sent as part of God’s redemptive plan.
(Gen. 12:1–3; Ex. 19:5–6; Isa. 49:6; Matt. 4:19; John 3:16–17; 17:18; 20:21; Acts 1:8)
[God] did not come up with a mission for His church as much as He formed a church for His mission… If a church is not engaging in mission, it really has no point in existing. (J.D. Greear, Gaining by Losing, 152)
The thought that the Father has sent the Son is one of the master thoughts of this Gospel; it is repeated over and over. Thus it is not surprising that it comes out once more in this solemn moment. Now, as Jesus has brought to its consummation the task that he came to accomplish, the task that the Father laid upon him, he sends his followers into the world. (Morris, 745)
- We are sent to represent the One who sent us.
(Matt. 5:13–16; John 13:34–35; 20:21; Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:20; Phil. 2:14–16; 1 Pet. 2:12)
[Christ’s] message could never be taken to all men and women, unless the Church took it. The Church was to be a mouth to speak for Jesus, feet to run upon his errands, hands to do his work. (Barclay, John, 318)
Our mission is not a political or military crusade, and this is not the time of judgment where we are called to distribute retribution. We are sent out rather to be ambassadors for Christ, emissaries of His mercy and grace. (John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, 132)
- We are sent to continue the mission of Jesus.
(Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:14–15; 2 Cor. 5:18–20; Col. 1:28–29; 1 Pet. 3:15)
He had come into the world to fulfill the Father’s purpose and had completed his task. Now he expected them to continue his work in his absence. (Merrill C. Tenney, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 9, 193)
The essential content of their mission was to ‘harvest’ men and women for the kingdom by their witness to Jesus by word and deed, alongside the ongoing witness of the Spirit. (Colin G. Kruse, The Gospel According to John, 375)
So, how do we become the church Hillsdale needs?
- See yourself as sent.
(Isa. 6:8; Matt. 9:37–38; John 20:21; 1 Cor. 7:17; Eph. 2:10; 1 Pet. 2:9; 4:10)
The word “missionary” is never used in the Bible, however, not even once. That’s because all of God’s people are sent; all of God’s people are commanded to go. There is no “special class” of sent ones. So the question is no longer if we are sent, only where and how. Many of us are waiting on a voice from heaven to tell us what God has already told us in a verse: “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). When you have the verse, you don’t need to wait for the voice. (J.D. Greear, Gaining by Losing, 34)
While Jesus’ words about sending his disciples as the Father sent him applied primarily to the Twelve, there is a sense in which all believers are privileged to share in this commission. (Colin G. Kruse, John, 375)
- Live like you’ve been sent.
(Matt. 22:37–39; Luke 10:25–37; John 13:34–35; Phil. 2:14–16; Col. 4:5–6; 1 Pet. 3:15–16)
Too many Christians shout advice to drowning men from the safety of the shore, but that’s not what Jesus did. He dove in and swam out to rescue us. (Matt Carter, Exalting Jesus in John, 458)
The thing that makes a missionary is the sight of what Jesus did on the Cross, and to have heard Him say Go. (Oswald Chambers, So I Send You, 44)
- Take responsibility for the mission.
(Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:13–15; 1 Cor. 9:16; 2 Cor. 5:18–20; Eph. 6:19–20)
In the Bible we find no gap between the call to follow Jesus and the call to engage in mission. (J.D. Greear, Gaining by Losing, 150)
We were saved into the greatest institution the world has ever known so that we could declare the greatest message the world has ever heard. (Matt Carter, Exalting Jesus in John, 458)
Gospel Connection:
The gospel is the good news that Jesus was sent to give His life for us and rise again so that we might be saved and sent in His name.
(Isa. 53:4–6; Matt. 20:28; John 3:16–17; Rom. 5:6–11; Phil. 2:5–11; 1 John 4:9–10)
The concern for world evangelisation is not something tacked on to a man’s personal Christianity, which he may take or leave as he chooses: it is rooted indefeasibly in the character of the God who has come to us in Jesus. Thus it can never be the province of a few enthusiasts, a sideline or speciality of those who happen to have a bent that way. It is the distinctive mark of being a Christian. (James S. Stewart, Thine is The Kingdom, 14)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions during your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with your friends, family, or Life Group.
- What does it mean to you that Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”?
- How does seeing yourself as “sent” change the way you think about your everyday life?
- Where has God placed you right now to be a witness for Christ?
- Who has God already put in your life that may need to experience the love or truth of Jesus?
- What does it look like to represent Jesus well at work, school, or in your neighborhood?
- What are some obstacles that keep us from living like we’ve been sent?