John 13:20, Receive the One Who Sent Me

20 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 

This is the heart of John’s Gospel: the Father has sent the Son, the Father and the Son have sent the Spirit, and God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, are sending Jesus’ disciples into the world as full-time missionaries. We are sent for the purposes of love. It is not just that God loves us, but love is a public matter and the foundation for mission and the ministry to which Jesus is commissioning his disciples. Jesus has lots more to say on this before the evening is done! 

Jesus, help us to remember that you send us and that when we are received by others they are receiving you.