Listen

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”

John 20:21-23

Think

The phrase, “Then he breathed on them…” felt different during the height of the pandemic, especially once we learned that it was not simply germs left behind on surfaces, but the very air we breathed out that could carry the virus. Our breath was meant to give life, and now it was dangerous.

That said, Jesus’ breath, the breath of the Holy Spirit, is both life-giving and dangerous. Life-giving in that it gives us the power of peace and the gift of forgiveness. Dangerous because his breath calls and invites his disciples, and us, into a whole new way of being. No longer were they meant to live in fear behind closed doors. Now they were being sent into the world to live, teach, love, and forgive as Jesus had.

The disciples were filled with joy when Jesus appeared in their midst. Now they were filled with the Spirit and sent to share that joy and the reason for it with the world. As God sent Jesus, so Jesus sends us. Praise the Lord!

Jennifer Christenson

Question to Ponder:

In what ways is discipleship life-giving and/or dangerous to you?

Pray

God of life, thank you for calling me to share the joy of knowing Jesus with the world. May my words and actions bring peace and hope to those who need it most. Amen.

Go

This IS the day that the Lord has made. Listen for the ways God’s creation offers up its praise. Then add your voice to the song, giving praise for all God has done.