Day 19: The Breath of The Spirit
Today’s Reading: John 20:1–23
Welcome to Day 19 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 3, The Church Multiplied.
The Focus: “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 20:21–22)
The Meditation: “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
Behind Locked Doors
The day had begun with an empty tomb. Mary Magdalene had met the risen Jesus in the garden, and He had called her by name (John 20:16). Yet that evening the disciples were together behind locked doors, because they were afraid (John 20:19).
Jesus came and stood among them. He did not rebuke them for running away. His first words were, “Peace be with you.” Then He showed them His hands and His side, and they were overjoyed (John 20:19–20).
Peace, and Then a Mission
He said it a second time: “Peace be with you.” And He added, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). The peace of Jesus is not given so that we can stay behind locked doors. It is given so that we can go out.
He Breathed on Them
Then Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). In the beginning God formed a man from the dust and breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Now the risen Lord breathes on His disciples. This is new creation. Those who belong to Jesus are made alive by His Spirit.
It is worth noticing what happened afterwards. These same disciples were later told to wait in Jerusalem until they had been clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49), and that happened at Pentecost. The Spirit gives us new life when we believe, and Jesus also baptises His people in the Spirit to give them power for witness. We need both.
A Message of Forgiveness
Jesus sent them out with the message of forgiveness (John 20:23). The church does not forgive sins by its own authority. We announce what God has done in Christ: everyone who turns to Him is forgiven.
Pray It Through
Receive His peace. What are you afraid of? Hear Jesus say “Peace be with you” over that fear.
Ask for His breath. Ask the risen Jesus to breathe fresh life into the places that have grown dry.
Go. Who needs to hear that they can be forgiven? Ask for an opportunity to tell them.
Prayer for Today
Risen Lord Jesus, come into the locked rooms of my life and speak Your peace. Thank You for the wounds that bought my forgiveness. Breathe on me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. As the Father sent You, send me. Give me courage to carry the message of forgiveness to those who need it. Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 19 in the audio and video below.
Keep going
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