If you’ve been at someone’s death bed, can you recall what happened in those final moments? Even if we weren’t around, for certain loved ones, we are usually interested to know the person’s final actions. What more when that person rose from death to life and was seeing the people for the first time? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
John 20:22 CEB
[22] Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Receive God’s Spirit
Isn’t that something, instead of saying much more, Y’shua breathed God’s Spirit (His Spirit) upon the disciples. That was not what I’d have expected if I didn’t already know the story. Considering that Y’shua Jesus stayed with them another forty days before returning to Heaven (at least according to Luke), it might seem a bit odd. Regardless of how it may seem to us, that’s how John remembers that First Day.
Self-Check
Is it odd to you that Y’shua breathed God’s Spirit on the disciples? Why/ not?
Application
Do we remember how John introduced Y’shua’s first conversation with the disciples about God’s Spirit? This makes sense. John 14 tells us that when Y’shua introduced the Twelve to the idea of His death, He assured them of two main things
1. He would return (verses 3, 4, 18)
2. That God would gift them with God’s Spirit as a replacement for Y’shua (verses 16, 17, 26).
John 20 proves that Y’shua followed through on both counts. Y’shua returned, and God’s Spirit of Truth was gifted to them behind those closed doors. As it pertains to His mysterious action, I’d say that verse 26 offers us a clue about the Holy Spirit’s role, which, in turn, helps us understand John’s resurrection account.
John 14:26 tells us that God’s Spirit is an Advocate, Teacher, and a ‘Memory Bank’. God’s Spirit would remind the Twelve (perhaps the 72) about everything Y’shua had shared with them previously. Could it be that in breathing God’s Spirit upon the disciples, Y’shua was ensuring that they would remember what He Himself had told them about His death and resurrection? Hmmn.
Another interesting thought of note is the ‘Peace Promise’. John 14:27 is clear in articulating Y’shua’s offer of peace. Y’shua might have been responding to their confusion or to their burgeoning fear. Whatever His reason, Y’shua bequeathed the disciples His peace immediately following His promise. Our Nougats tell us that having spoken peace over the disciples (see verse 19), Y’shua breathed God’s Spirit upon them. I do believe that it isn’t accidental. Where God’s Spirit is, there is peace.
I close with these conclusions –
God’s Spirit, gifted to us who believe when we accept Y’shua as Lord, offers us immense knowledge about Y’shua. This includes our ability to believe the fact of His resurrection.
God’s Spirit dwelling in us is not a new phenomenon. God’s Spirit was present at the resurrection and gifted to the disciples as they gathered behind closed doors.
When life gets confusing and overwhelming, we can access God’s peace through God’s Indwelling Spirit.
Point to Ponder
What might we need God’s Spirit for in these times?
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May all we seek be found in Christ
