Breath

Anchor Scripture: John 20:22

“And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

When Jesus Appeared

The disciples had seen Jesus die.

They had watched the One they believed in be crucified, and now they were gathered behind closed doors. Fear had become their reality.

Then Jesus appeared.

He did not begin by asking them why they were hiding. He showed them His wounds.

The scars in His hands and His side were reminders that the suffering was real, but so was the resurrection. What had looked like defeat was now evidence of His victory.

Peace Before the Assignment

Then Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.”

There is something beautiful about this. Jesus did not send them out immediately. He first reminded them that they could rest in Him.

There would be an assignment, but they would not carry it from a place of fear.

Sometimes, we become so consumed by what needs to be done that we forget that God does not ask us to carry everything by ourselves.

We can rest in what Christ has already finished.

Receive the Holy Spirit

Then Jesus breathed on them.

“Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The disciples were not simply given another instruction. They received the Spirit of the One who had conquered death.

This changed what they were capable of carrying.

Sometimes, confusion makes us forget what we already have.

We become so focused on what we do not know, what might happen, or how everything will work out that we forget that God has not left us to figure life out alone.

The Holy Spirit is with us.

We Are Sent

Jesus did not give them the Spirit so they could remain behind those closed doors.

He sent them.

They were to carry the message of forgiveness, reconciliation and new life in Christ to others.

We have received the same call to make Him known.

The world does not only need our words. It needs to see what life with Christ looks like.

When You Are Confused

Not every difficult moment requires an immediate answer.

Not every uncertainty needs to be solved at once.

Sometimes we need to pause long enough to remember that God is present.

When you do not know what to do next, you can become conscious of His presence again.

You do not have to have everything figured out before you move.

Go

Perhaps this is what Jesus was teaching His disciples that day.

The One who was dead is alive.

The One who showed them His scars is the One who gave them His Spirit.

And the One who gave them His Spirit is the One who sent them.

So receive what He has given you.

Rest in what He has finished.

Then go where He sends you.

Breathe. Receive. Go.

Reflection

What has been occupying your mind lately?

Have you allowed uncertainty to make you forget the presence of God?