Jesus Breathed New Life Into Despairing Disciples

What Did Jesus Do?

He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20.22

Defeated, dejected, and demoralized, it was a group of despairing disciples that gathered on the evening of the first day of the week (John 20.19). Not even the announcement of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20.18) had lifted their spirits. With the image of a beaten and scourged Jesus dying on the cross in their minds, a deathly fear of what the Jews might do to them compelled the disciples to lock the doors. With their dreams dashed, their faith frustrated, and the kingdom vision of Jesus seemingly a vanished vanity, the disciples were all but lifeless. But they would not remain so for long. For, against all evidence and logic, Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, bringing them the fullness of God’s shalom (peace) to calm their anxious hearts.

Now, just in case any of the disciples were of the same frame of mind as the skeptics in Jerusalem who had refused to believe that a man born blind could see (see John 9.9), Jesus confirmed his identity by displaying the marks of the nails and the spear which had pierced his hands, feet, and side (John 20.20). Instantly, gloomy hearts were gladdened. New “marching orders” were received, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20.21)

Of course, defeated, dejected, and demoralized disciples would be a pretty impotent army with which to conquer the world. They were, remember, all but lifeless at this point. So, Jesus breathed new life into despairing disciples, and imparted to them the power of the Holy Spirit (John 20.22). And, along with this power of the Spirit, the Lord also conferred his very own authority to grant or withhold forgiveness (John 20.23). THAT’s a lot of power and authority! One might even say it was irresistible. In fact, it was and is irresistible for all who are being saved, while staunchly yet rejected and resisted by those who are being condemned.

Given the authority and power which Jesus bestowed on his disciples, there has never been any reason for any disciple ever since to despair. Oh, things can look very bleak. The world, the flesh, and the devil appear to be even more ascendant in this third millennium since the time of Christ than ever before. Yet appearances can be deceiving. You see, to the despairing disciples who had gathered in that locked room on the evening of the first day of the week, it appeared that Jesus was dead and gone, and with him all their hopes. Yet, against all odds, Jesus had come and stood among them, and breathed new life into them, and they became world-changers.

Here’s the thing, there is not a single disciple of Jesus in the world today who the Lord has not called in order that they may be sent out to change the world. And nothing changes a person’s life and world more than hearing and believing the good news that, in Jesus Christ, they are forgiven. This is why it is so important that corporate confession, and declaring words of assurance and forgiveness, are such an important part of worship for the Lord’s Day. Nothing dispels despair like forgiveness! Nothing breathes life into a disciple, a congregation, the whole Body of Christ, like the Lord’s own gift of the Holy Spirit! Do you know someone who is despairing today? Then go, and breathe new life into them. That’s what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4