S – Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” ²² After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

John 20:21–23

O – Commentary:

Jesus then recommissioned the disciples as His apostles: He was sending them as His representatives, as the Father had sent Him (cf. 17:18). They were sent with His authority to preach, teach, and do miraculous signs (Matt. 28:16–20; Luke 24:47–49). For their new commission they needed spiritual power. So He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. The image and wording of breathing on them recalls God’s creative work in making Adam (Gen. 2:7). Now this post-Resurrection “breathing” was a new kind of creative work for they would soon become new creations (Eph. 2:8–10). This reception of the Spirit was in anticipation of the day of Pentecost and should be understood as a partial limited gift of knowledge, understanding, and empowerment until Pentecost, 50 days later.

Forgiveness of sins is one of the major benefits of the death of Jesus. It is the essence of the New Covenant (cf. Matt. 26:28; Jer. 31:31–34). Proclaiming the forgiveness of sins was the prominent feature of the apostolic preaching in the Book of Acts. Jesus was giving the apostles (and by extension, the church) the privilege of announcing heaven’s terms on how a person can receive forgiveness. If one believes in Jesus, then a Christian has the right to announce his forgiveness. If a person rejects Jesus’ sacrifice, then a Christian can announce that that person is not forgiven

 “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A –  Jesus gave three impartations to his disciples.  He sent them, gave them the Holy Spirit and established forgiveness as a foundational part of their relationship with others.  We are given the same impartations today.  We need to walk in the same manner as the disciples.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor today.  We want to align with your plan and purpose for us today, full of your Holy Spirit and forgiveness to others.  Please help us do this with humility and courage.  

S – Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly

Proverbs 16:13 CSB

O – A king can trust and depend on someone who has a righteous character.  He knows he will get straightforward insight and information from an honest person.

A – Any leader wants to know they can trust those who follow.  Talents and gifting are important to a group.  Dependable, honest character-filled people are the ones you structure your group around to maximize its effectiveness.  We should desire to be those people no matter our position or gifting.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor and worship you today.  We desire to know you better and walk in your way.  Please help us be people of character and honesty today.  It demonstrates your love for others when we tell the truth in love.

S – You are a king then?” Pilate asked. 

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 

³⁸ “What is truth?” said Pilate

John 18:37–38 CSB

O – Jesus asserts his kingship before Pilate. Not a king of land or provinces, but a heavenly kingdom based on the truth.  The truth is that God is the one true God and Jesus is the one sent by Him to share who He is.   Pilates’s question “What is truth” continues to be asked today.

A – Many seek truth in a variety of sources today.  We must recognize that God is who He says He is and acknowledge that Jesus is the way to Him.  In a world filled with various gods, accepting that God is the one true god acknowledges the truth established back at creation.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor and acknowledge that you are the true God.  There is no rival or equal to you.  Thank you for Jesus coming as your son and going to the cross to pay for our sins.  He is the truth and the way to you.  Thank you for loving us so much that he would do this.

S – A person’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps. 

Proverbs 16:9 CSB

O – “Determines” – kûwn,  to be erect; to set up,  (establish, fix, prepare, apply),

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

When something is erected, it is built from a master set of blueprints.  A man carries out his plans while God’s sovereignty prevails by having a purpose and plan for our lives.

A – We must acknowledge and honor that God has a will and purpose for us.  That aligns us with the Bible.  Our part is to be obedient to his purpose and plan.  We do this by praying and knowing Him more.  As we get to know Him and his plans, we align our plans with His.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of praise and honor today.  We ask that you continue to reveal to us your plans and purposes.  Give us the wisdom to align our plans with yours.  Give us the courage to obey your will quickly and in a way that honors you.

S – I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world

John 17:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

God’s plan was not to remove the disciples from danger and opposition (take them out of the world) but to preserve them in the midst of conflict. Though Jesus would soon be taken out of the world (v. 11), His followers are to remain in it. Like Daniel in Babylon (Dan. 1–2; 4–6) and the saints in Caesar’s household (Phil. 4:22), God intends for His followers to be witnesses to truth in the midst of satanic falsehood. Satan, the evil one (cf. Matt. 5:37; 1 John 5:19), as head of the world system, seeks to do everything possible to destroy believers (cf. Rev. 2:10; 12:10) but God’s plan will prevail. Christians must not take themselves out of the world but remain in meaningful contact with it, trusting in God’s protection while they witness for Jesus.

17:16–17. Just as Jesus did not belong to the satanic world system (I am not of it; cf. v. 14), so believers do not. They belong to the heavenly kingdom (Col. 1:13) because of their new births

 “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Believers are part of the world to be a light and show the love of God to others.  In that journey, God will protect us from the enemy’s schemes.  This is where we grow in the spirit realm while living in the physical realm.

R – Heavenly Father, we are in awe of you.  Empower us today to do your will and stand strong against the plans of the evil one.  We know you are with us.  Give us your strength and courage to honor you and love others.

S – Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished

Proverbs 16:5 CSB

O – God detests the proud, who refuse to commit their ways to the Lord (16:3) and mistakenly believe that they can accomplish their plans on their own (16:1).

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – When we disobey God or pursue our agenda outside of God, unhealthy pride is involved.  We are saying “We don’t need or want you” in our lives.  It is haughty and puts us in the center of our life instead of Christ.  Instead, we need to invite God into our lives and each day.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  We invite you to be in our thoughts, words and actions.  We invite you to lead and be in a relationship with us as we face today.  Give us the courage to obey your commands.  Give us the hearts to love you and others fiercely.

S – This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you

John 15:12–14 CSB

O – Commentary: 

One primary command was given by Jesus to believers: they must have mutual love (Love each other; this is repeated in v. 17). Christians grow by caring for and nurturing each other. The standard for that love is Christ’s example of humble sacrificial service: as I have loved you.

15:13–14. The most a person can do for his friend is to die for him; such a death is a clear demonstration of love. Jesus demonstrated His love

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – This type of love is not unknown to us.  Most people serve and give sacrificially to their immediate family.  Most would say they would die for the closest people in their lives.  The shift comes when we realize others have value and many are “part of our family.”  Will we love unconditionally, serve openly, give freely and love at the standard that Jesus did?  It is a great challenge each day.

R – Heavenly Father, we choose to love You and others today.  You modeled this type of love through Jesus.  We want to follow in your example.  Give us the strength and resolve to love in a way that honors You.

S – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^, to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. 

John 14:16–17 CSB

O – Commentary:

The Holy Spirit is to be the Counselor… In a sense He has now replaced Jesus’ physical presence; and He mediates God to believers. The Spirit is in a believer forever (cf. Rom. 8:9). He is also the Spirit of Truth (lit., “Spirit of the truth”; cf. John 15:26; 16:13) and thus would guide the apostles. He is invisible (the world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him), yet He is real and active. Without a radio, radio waves go unnoticed. The Holy Spirit is unnoticed by the unsaved who have no spiritual life. The disciples had some experience with the Spirit (doubtless in preaching and miracle-working) but now His working would be much more intimate.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We must “tune into” the Holy Spirit daily.  He is our Spirit of Truth, advocate, counselor, and comforter.  His presence emboldens us to be strong and brings peace in challenges.

R – Heavenly Father, your love knows no end.  Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to work in us so we are never alone.  We want to walk in your strength, compassion and resolve today.

S – I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another

John 13:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary:

The *Old Testament had commanded love (Lev 19:18); what makes Jesus’ commandment new is the new standard and example: “as I have loved you”—in the context, to the point of laying down one’s life for others. Jewish ethics emphasized learning by imitation, including imitating God’s good character. Disciples were expected to learn by following the examples of their teachers. (In antiquity, love for one’s own group did not need to imply that one not love those outside it.)

  The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Right before this, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and allowed Judas to leave and betray him and he was getting ready to tell Peter he would deny him.  Broken down – he served others, followed God’s will and gave grace.  This love was based on God’s character, not his law.  We need to serve, forgive and value others while following God’s will for our own life.  This will come at a cost to us.  It is so distinguishing that people who don’t know God will notice.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus giving the ultimate sacrifice for us.  Help us to demonstrate that love that shows your character and heart for others.  Even though it may cost us, help us to do it anyway.

S – When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in his spirit and testified, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.

John 13:21 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Jesus was troubled in spirit. The word “troubled” is etarachthē (“stirred or agitated”), the same word used of Jesus in 11:33; 12:27 (also used by Jesus in 14:1, 27). Being human, Jesus was troubled over Judas’ soon betrayal of His love and friendship. Being divine, Jesus knew in advance that it would happen. Jesus sensed the spiritual hardness and deadness which sin had produced in Judas. The word testified and the formula I tell you the truth stress the solemn announcement of Jesus’ words.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Even though Jesus knew it was part of God’s plan, the betrayal and loss of relationship with someone he loved still hurt.  As we interact with others, there will be pain and challenge.  God is all-knowing -past, present and future.  He will use the pain for His good.  We must continue to love and value others through the pain.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for another day with you and others today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts, words and actions.  As we encounter challenges, let us have a heart for you and others like Jesus did.  Give us strength and peace as we navigate those relationships.