resurrection and forgiveness

before the resurrection, jesus sent out the twelve (luke 9:1-2)and the seventy-two luke 10:1) to heal and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. but he did not send them to forgive sins. this he did, and was condemned for it. (mark 2:1-12)

but after the resurrection, all is changed. consider this passage from john's gospel:

"in the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the jews. jesus came and stood among them. he said to them, 'peace be with you,' and showed them his hands and his side. the disciples were filled with joy when they saw the lord, and he said to them again, 'peace be with you.
'as the father sent me,
so i am sending you.'

"after saying this he breathed on them and said:
'receive the holy spirit.
for those whose sins you forgive,
they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain,
they are retained.'" (20:19-23)

(there are those who find only two sacraments ordained by our lord, and who reject the church's ministry to forgive sins. i don't understand how they read this passage.)

it is remarkable and amazing that the first thing jesus does when he rejoins the disciples is to send them to forgive sins. this is of course quite in keeping with john's understanding of the mission of christ jesus, as it was with paul's understanding: "this is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received,
that christ jesus came into the world to save sinners." ( 1 timothy 1:15).

it is amazing because we are so often concerned with everything else: hospitals and potluck suppers and new and bigger organs. we are often just plain embarassed that there are sins and that we are called to forgive them.

it is remarkable because it is the first thing jesus does after the resurrection. before the crucifixion it was not possible. but now it is. this is what jesus underwent the agony of the scourging and crucifixion and descent into hell for: to save sinners. and just as the father sent him, so he sends those who follow him. to forget this only is to ignore the heart of the gospel.