Breath

When [Jesus] had said this, he breathed on [the disciples] and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  John 20:22

Grace and peace to you on this first week of Easter. We’re just beginning the 50-day Easter celebration!

Jesus came to the disciples behind shut and locked doors to bring peace to them, but more than that he came to give them the power an authority to give that peace to others. So Jesus said to them a second time, "Peace be with you." And then he "He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.'"  

As I hear the words, "He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.' " I remember my children as infants. I would blow gently onto their faces. Their eyes sparkled, their arms flew up, and they breathed in deeply, inhaling my own breath. Almost caught by surprise by the power of my breath.

I wonder if those gathered in that room responded the same way--eyes lit, arms in the air, breathing deeply to receive the Holy Spirit. Empowered.

He breathed on them the powerful breath that swept over the dark waters making meaning out of chaos at creation. He breathed on them the living breath of God that transformed mud into people. Jesus breathed out so that they could breathe in the power of the Holy Spirit and spread to others the good news that Christ has risen.

In Jesus’ breath, they were given the answer to their questions about the coming of the kingdom. The kingdom of God would be fulfilled through them!

As a people alive with the breath of the Spirit, ourselves, let us make God’s kingdom a reality by proclaiming the good news that Christ has risen. You can proclaim this every day through acts of kindness, mercy, and forgiveness.