Breaking the Word

 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." (Jn20:19-23)

The author, by describing ‘on the evening of the first day of the week’, says that the work of new creation has begun. He connects to the defeat of death which Jesus has accomplished.  When God came looking for Adam and Eve it was at the time of the evening breeze (Gen 3:8). Also the statement ‘he breathed on them’ reminds us of the action of God at creation: “LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being”.  So the whole narration in this passage speaks about new creation and connects it to the coming of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a sign of new creation.

The Holy Spirit is Jesus’ own spirit. This is the Spirit which is a special gift of the Father to the people. Jesus has said a lot about it in his final discourse (John Chapters 14, 15, 16). His main work will be to bear witness to Jesus and to glorify Jesus and also to reveal the complete truths to the disciples. He will also do the following: “And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned."

In verse 23 we read: “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them”. But only God could forgive sins. Yes, and it is so. But, here, God is going to forgive sins through them and it is only after receiving the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit makes them do the works of God. Forgiveness is also a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, "Master, who is the one who will betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me." So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just "What if I want him to remain until I come? (What concern is it of yours?)" It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.  (Jn 21:20-25)

Peter and John had many things to do in common and they have done so from the beginning. Even in the last chapters (chapters 13, 18, 20 and 21) they have been important and they have been on the scene many times. Now their paths are taking different turns. But they should not look over their shoulders to see what the other is doing. They should not wonder why the other is different. Vocation is personal though it is from the same Lord and though they have been together with the Lord (in their formation time)

Peter’s question about John is natural. They have done so much, side by side. Peter expected that John also would face the same end. Most important thing for Peter is to learn that God has different plan for each of them. Christian obedience is personal and the mission given to the disciples is personal. We are called to follow Jesus wherever he leads us, not wherever he leads the person next to us.

It is not Peter’s business to know about John.  Peter should follow Jesus on his own and his following should not be conditioned by the followings of the other. The words of Jesus to Peter are quite strong: “What concern is it of yours?” Peter was called to follow Jesus and only Jesus.