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A prized MMA fighter stands before you, where is his strength found?

Would it be his hands or arms throwing a knockout punch? Or could his strength be found in his legs as he grapples his opponent to the ground? Or maybe it’s in his endurance that he’s developed over years of training to ensure he can withstand the exertion of a long fight. Perhaps it’s really in his mind as he anticipates his opponent’s next moves and crafts his counter attack.

Where is his power found?

John 20:19-23 – NIV

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

When I read a passage of scripture, tons of questions start pouring into my mind. What did you notice about this passage? What were the disciples doing? Why was the door locked? What was Jesus’ purpose for going to the men? Why show them His hands and side? What did He give them? Where did that come from?

The disciples had all ran and hid from the Jewish leaders. All except for John. They locked themselves in a home, hoping they were hidden and safe. If they took and killed Jesus, what would they do to them?

Fear.

Anxiety.

Paranoia.

They were scared. They didn’t think they were prepared for this. Not something of this magnitude. How could they go on? What would they do?

And then, Jesus appeared.

Their friend.

Their Master.

Their Savior.

He had returned!

We can only imagine their response in this moment. They were thrilled! They needed Him! Their sorrow was turned into joy! But could this be true? Could it be Him? How did He just appear? Wasn’t the door locked? Who let Him in?

Peace.

Jesus knew exactly what they needed. He knew everything that was going through their minds and hearts at the moment. He proved who He was by showing them His hands and His side, leaving no more room for doubt. He was Jesus.

But He came for more than just that. Showing them that He had defeated death and the grave was just the beginning.

Jesus then did something remarkable.

Take notice of the words of verse 22.

“He breathed on them”.

The very Son of God was standing before them, God in the flesh, who had the power to do ANYTHING and He chose to

Breathe on them.

In one breath, He gave them the Holy Spirit. He gave them the power to go unto all the world and preach repentance and offer the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name.

Can you imagine the power within His breath? With it, He gave life to mankind in the beginning.

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Genesis 2:7

And now He used it to empower the disciples to fulfill His mission.

No more fear, anxiety, or paranoia. They had the peace of God resting over them and the Holy Spirit living inside them. They had the power to do whatever the Lord called them to do.

And so do you.

If you have trusted Jesus to save you and you’ve put your faith in Him, the Holy Spirit lives in you too.

We have the same commission from the Lord as the disciples to go and share the good news that Jesus is alive and that through repentance and faith in Him, Jesus will save you from your sins!

There is power in the very breath of God.

Let’s quit wasting our breath and share His truth! Offer the salvation of Jesus to someone today who needs it.

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