"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said 'Peace be with you!' After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.' And with that He breathed on them and said, receive the Holy Spirit."
-- John 20:19-22
Sometimes we just don't know what to expect next. Nothing seems to be working out as planned.
Doubts whisper and fears scream at us from every side.
That's where the disciples were that night. They had followed Jesus, sometimes faithfully, and sometimes fearfully, only to stand and watch Him die a horrific, brutal death. They had no future left.
They locked themselves in a room, afraid to be seen.
Then Jesus mysteriously appeared among them.
He didn't chastise them for hiding, or doubting, and for being fearful -- He greeted them with peace, precisely what they didn't expect!
After revealing His scars, proving His identity, He breathed on them. That breath was not just air - it was the breath of life. He gave them the Holy Spirit, empowering them to move from frightened followers to become courageous witnesses of His resurrection.
Jesus was not sending them out in their own strength; He was giving them His own presence, guidance and power through His Spirit.
(What happened next? Read Acts, chapters 1 and 2.)
Sometimes we feel we need to have it all figured out before taking the first, or next, step, but God equips us just in His perfect timing. Just as He breathed life into Adam, Jesus breathed new life into His disciples and now into us.
He is equipping us for what He is calling us to do, even when we feel unprepared and incompetent. Maybe you feel tired, uncertain, or afraid. Invite the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into you and step aside and see what God will do for and in you!
Start now! Breathe, inhaling, deeply!
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