John 20 19 – 23 v 22 “Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
A frightened group of men were meeting behind locked doors. Suddenly Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you” he said. He showed them His body, wounded and broken, but he talked to them, saying as my Father sent me, I am sending you. Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” If you forgive anyone’s sins, then they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.
Loss of life is diagnosed by no respiration or breath, no circulation or heartbeat. No life without breath or heart. When Jesus returned to the disciples, He had both breath and heart. He still had a body with holes in it, in his hands and his sides but He had a heart for his frightened people, first saying don’t be frightened, “Peace be with you”. He then breathed on them, shared his breath with all those present, giving then the Holy Spirit. He then sent them out to forgive others, exactly as He had done. This is why this week is such a pivotal moment. God first gave us rules to follow, we weren’t very good at it. He then sent Jesus, God in person, so that we could relate to Him. And finally, after Jesus took the burden of all our sins on the Cross, He gave Jesus back His breath and His heart and sent Him to give us the final gift we needed the Holy Spirit, who reveals God to us, and His purposes and His ways. The Holy Spirit knocks on our hearts from the inside, to know God. Guides us through the bible, prayer, circumstances, and Godly people to show us the job God created us for, and the understanding of how to do it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your Son and the Holy Spirit to breathe life into our day. To find your peace and joy in all we do. Amen.
CrossWalk 