PsalmTree

 John 20:19-23

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

😇 This is surely one of the more important passages of scripture. This is Jesus “sanctifying” His disciples…setting them apart for a holy purpose. It is what scholars refer to as the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit”…confirming their eternal inheritance; “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16).The Apostle Paul explains it in 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22 “Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, and in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” And, in Ephesians 1:13-14 as well; “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” 

But…that’s just us.

We don’t simply say “game, set, match.” The Holy Spirit is a distinct entity within the Trinity. He is not simply a spiritual manifestation of the ever presence of Jesus in our lives. The Holy Spirit has a separate and distinct ministry from Jesus as well; According the Jesus, the Holy Spirit has 8 Functions: 

1. Dwell in us John 14:17

2. Teach us all things John 14:26 

3. Bring remembrance of all things Jesus said John 14:26 

4. Testifies of Jesus Christ John 15:26 

5. Convict world of sin, righteousness and judgment John 16:8-11 

6. Guide us in all truth John 16:13 

7. Tell us things to come John 16:13

8. Glorifies Jesus John 16:14 

The clear implication is…Jesus expects us to give the Holy Spirit reign in our lives to perform His ministry. This is the bedrock upon which believers are given the authority to proclaim forgiveness and judgement; not of our own volition but by Divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit. 

🙏🏼 Lord, God…I thank you for breathing the Holy Spirit into me, sealing your pledge to me of eternal life. I know I am bound for eternity with you because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. I give up control of my life today, so the Holy Spirit can use me to do His ministry. What a blessed privilege, Amen.