John 20:23 Another View - Forgiveness Reconciled

[lftc]

John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

context:

Think of a timeline of Jesus' presence with the disciples, and his statements to them. 

He makes this statement in his first appearance to the group after his crucifixion and ressurection.

They heard him say a couple things at their last meeting with Jesus.  At least those disciples hiding in the crowd, having not stood with him at his trial, torture and carrying the cross, miserable failures like me.   That last meeting with Jesus would be tearing at the fabric of their beings.

One of the things Jesus said was "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do".  Did Jesus mean just the Roman soldiers fulfilling the Law of Rome and Judea?   I am sure that the disciples would be thinking of themselves, as we all should be. 

As "orthodox" (latin for correct opinion) christians, we believe that Jesus death on the Cross forgave all sins.

The disciples don't quite grasp that yet (as we see from all the fighting recorded in Acts, etc). 

But Jesus fully grasps that.  In fact this is his first teaching after sins of the world are forgiven.  

What sins remain?  (unabashedly leading question)

Matthew 12, gives us the answer. using archaic language "All manner of sin will be forgiven men" (at the cross) "Except the blasphemy against the Spirit"  (blashemy is basically a synonym for slander).  Jesus goes on to say "but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come".

All sin was forgiven at the cross. Except speaking against or denying the ministry of the Holy Spirit.   The context for this statement of Jesus, is the Pharisees saying that Jesus is not the Son of God but in fact is working with one of the chief regional demons/prinicpalities.  In other words, they are taking the path that  christians believe is the path that results in eternal separation from God.  The unforgiven Sin.

The Gospel is that Jesus died for the sins of the world.

In that room in John 20: 
- Jesus reminds them of the horror of the last meeting with Jesus - shows them his wounds  (that paid for their sins, although they don't get it yet, but they will as the Holy Spirit starts to guide them into truth)
- Jesus speaks "Peace be with you"  This was not a greeting, it was a divine command.  I believe peace flooded the room.  Forgiveness is more powerful than all the acusations, even when you abandoned your precious Jesus and watched him die in agony while you hid in the crowd.  Peace through forgiveness.
- Jesus says he is sending them.  Like he did before but this time armed with the Gospel.
- Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into them.  You know the one that slander against is the only unforgiven sin. The Spirit that leads people to ackowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
- Then he says our topic statement, but allow me to say in the context of what I have proposed here: "When you bring bring the light of the gospel to people, their remaining sin is removed"

I could be wrong. You weigh it and decide.  I am merely "wind in dry grass".

I wish peace for you all.