What are some of the most important words in the Bible?  There are all kinds of answers. . .

Genesis 1 is pretty important.  Don’t forget about Psalm 23.  How could you leave out John 3?

I think 10 of the most important words in the Bible are found in John 20:21:  “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

These are some of Jesus’ last words before His ascension back to the Father.  They are filled with hope and power.  Let’s remember how Jesus was sent.  In Philippians 2, we see the “self-emptying” Christ.  He willingly humbled Himself, giving up equality with God.  Although He never stopped being fully God, as One who was now fully man, He willingly relied on the power of the Holy Spirit for all of His ministry.  It is so beautiful to see the interdependence of the Trinity throughout Christ’s ministry.

We are sent in the same manner.  It is a humble path that involves self-emptying.  We lay down our rights and receive our power from the Holy Spirit.  We die to self and live to Christ.  We take the mind of Christ; we receive the fruit of the Spirit (Christ’s character); and we minister through the gifts of the Spirit (the power of Christ).

Just as the Father sent Jesus, He is sending us!  Today, ask Christ to empty you of your “rights.”  In humility, ask for the Holy Spirit’s power for ministry.