On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 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." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." (Jn 20:19-23)
The disciples were afraid of the Jews. They locked themselves in the room. They had fear from within and without. A situation like this could only be saved by Jesus. Jesus appeared before them and wished them peace and the disciples rejoiced at the presence of Jesus. They saw Jesus who was crucified. So the peace comes from Jesus who was crucified.
Jesus was sent by the father with a particular mission. The mission was to proclaim the kingdom and establish the kingdom. Jesus completed this mission through his suffering and death. Now Jesus is sending his disciples with the same mission. They are asked to continue the same mission. Indirectly Jesus is telling them to expect the same treatment.
Jesus sends them with the Holy Spirit. He breathed on them the spirit. They have not only a model to follow but also the presence of the spirit to accompany them. The spirit will be present with them always while they carry on with their mission. Their mission is to forgive the sins of the people.
