The Air That We Breath
Scripture: “And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’.” – John 20:22
Image courtesy of: Alba Soler Photography
Observation/Application:
When Mary Magdalene saw and spoke with Jesus in the tomb after he had been crucified, the disciples who were not there were not sure what to make of the situation. They had not put things together yet to understand exactly what had occurred and why. So Jesus appears to them, in person, and show them his hands and his side. And with this, we read that the disciples were overjoyed. And with this, we read that he breathed on them and said “receive the Holy Spirit.” – (John 20:22). Just as he had promised, he was giving them the Holy Spirit to be their helper, God among them with Jesus in the flesh no longer on earth.
Just like in Genesis 2:7 when God formed man from dust and breathed life into Adam, Jesus breathed new life into the disciples giving them the Holy Spirit. This is the second time God breathes life into man. But this time not only does he breath earthly life into man, God breathes spiritual life into man by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this moment, Jesus renews, refreshes, and restores the disciples via the power of the Holy Spirit.
What an amazing moment in time. How amazing would it be to be in that room, and to be able to see God once again breath a new breath of life into man. Everyone who was there saw and believed. How could you not when you see something happen with your own eyes, hear with your own ears, and touch with your own fingers? On the reverse, how easy it is not to believe when you can’t see it, when you can’t hear it, when you can’t touch it.
Thomas one of the disciples who was not there didn’t believe and said that he wouldn’t, “unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hands into his side.” – (John 20:25). And then Jesus appeared before him a week later and that is exactly what happened, and the Thomas also believed. Doesn’t that remind us of ourselves sometimes, when things get hard and the flesh gets weak? How do we battle this unbelief?
What I do is this: I seek the Lord first and foremost each and every day. I pray for Him to reveal himself to me, and to draw me closer and closer to Him. I believe in all my earthly power and when I fail, I ask God to supply the belief that I lack. I do my best to obey God and what I believe He is telling me to do. I read the Word, because as John says, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
And finally I praise God. I do this because the Bible tells me to. – (Psalm 148:1-10). As with everything, whether we praise God or not is our choice. It is uncomfortable maybe to let go, and praise God with all of our hearts. I get it. We are self-conscious, and we get in our own way. But would that be the way that we would praise if we were dead on the ground, and God himself came over and breathed life into us, because that is what he has done? I praise God because of who he is and what he has done, for me, a sinner like me. And if I don’t do it, how silly am I going to look and feel when the stones cry out and praise him because I will not? – (Luke 19:40 – “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out”).
As we get ready for the day, let us sit in quiet for a moment and take a deep breath in, and slowly exhale. Again let us take a deep breath in, and then exhale. And let’s do it again, one more time. Can we feel that breath that is entering our lungs? Yeah, that right there is a gift from God, our very life and breath. As we go through today, let’s try to catch ourselves breathing, and think about and celebrate the very life that God has breathed into us. Let’s celebrate both the breath that gives us life on earth, but the breath that is the Holy Spirit, our Helper, our wonderful counselor, our mighty warrior, God within us.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word this morning, and your breath of life. I know that you put breath in my lungs for a reason God. You gave me life, and have plans for me far greater than I might see. Draw me close to you Lord, that I can hear your voice, and know the plans that You have for me. Refresh me Lord, make me new. Let your love surround me, fill me, comfort me. Let your Spirit guide me, strengthen me, encourage me. Fill me with boldness and confidence Lord to do what it is that you want me to do Lord, and to be a blessing to others. Fill me full of your goodness, your kindness, your love. Make my days extraordinary Lord, and my life worthy of the breath that you gave me. We are so thankful that you are patient, and kind, and forgiving. Fill us with all of your goodness, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Image courtesy of: gi@como
Photo By Alba Soler Photography
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