The word ‘commissioning’ is used with a variety of meanings in the Bible – commission, order and give responsibility etc. (Gen 26:4, Ex. 6:13, 1 Kings 14:6, Hag. 1:12, Acts 7:53, Rom. 16:24, 1 Sam. 15:1, 2 Sam. 15:25, Dan. 2:24, Hab. 1:12, Acts 15:22). We find that Jesus has appointed his disciples for the ministry at different stages. They show pre-resurrection and post resurrection commissioning. The Son sends just as the Father sends. After the ascension of Jesus this commissioning continued in the New Testament church also (Acts 13:1-3).

1. Commissioning like the Father (Jn. 20:19-23).

The world needs forgiveness. Forgive everybody in other words give forgiveness to all. This is another form of love. Jesus has shown his nailed hands and pierced side at his appearance, the wounds of Jesus (Lk. 24:40, Jn. 20:27). These wounds gifted by the world as the father has sent his son to the world. We should remember that as the father has sent his son, the son is also sending us into the world. The great commandment of Matthew says: “… And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19, 20). But Mark says it in a different way, “Go into all the world and preach the Godnews to all creation” (Mk. 16:15). Anyway the preaching of the gospel must be the prime objective of the church.

2. Commissioning for ‘Christian character’ (1 Tim. 4:6-16).

St. Paul commissioned Timothy to become a good minister of God (1 Tim. 4:6). The admonition of Paul to Timothy to attain Christian character is found in 1 Tim. 4:6-16. Such ideal characters will attract others to Christ. We are placed as the ‘news paper’ (2 Cor. 3:3) of Christ. Someone who doesn’t know about Kerala reads a newspaper to know about the state. In the same way anyone who doesn’t know Christ understands Christ through the reading of Christ’s news paper. Our life style is the news paper of Jesus. The resurrected Christ gives a commissioning to grow in Christian character.