A Year with Jesus

Note from Jesus

Dear Disciple,

Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, and a couple of disciples on the road to Emmaus weren't the only ones to meet Me on that first day of My resurrection. Whether I met them at the tomb, along the road, or over a meal, they saw that the inexplicable and seemingly impossible was true. There were more surprises as I showed Myself alive to those closest to Me. Many were startled and even terrified when I showed up among them as they were locked inside the upper room.

My proof of life was very simple. I asked the people to look at My scars. I also asked them to give Me a bite of their broiled fish. Fear gradually gave way to joy. This joy was so rich and full that they could still scarcely believe. It was simply too good to be true. Except it was true!

My resurrection was incredible for them. I wanted them - and I want you - to know that this good news of My life, crucifixion, and resurrection is not news to hoard or hide. This news is not for a few faithful followers tucked away and withdrawn from the doubters. This joy was not to be fearfully locked up and hidden from the everyday world of real people. I want the good news of My life, death, and resurrection to be shared with everyone. So I drew My disciples close to Me and spoke words to them that I also want you to hear:

I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you.

The mission of testifying to My resurrection wouldn't be easy - not for My first disciples and not for you. So I drew My disciples close to Me and let My "breath" fall on them. I told them, "Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God." (The same word in the languages I spoke was used to mean both "breath" and "spirit.") I reminded them about the Spirit Whom I had promised to send to them when I returned to the Father. In this moment of tender and joyful closeness, I wanted My disciples to know that I would be present with them and within them through the Holy Spirit, the Breath of heaven. My presence in them through the Holy Spirit would empower them to fulfill their mission of testifying to My resurrection.

Over the next few weeks, I will share with you some of those things I had originally spoken to My disciples on the night I was betrayed. I talked to them about the coming of the Spirit, their great Helper that I would send to be with them and to live within in them. Today, I want to remind you of two truths about the Holy Spirit, the Breath of heaven.

First, the Holy Spirit is not just about power and presence; the Spirit is also the holy and cleansing fire of heaven that I send to cleanse you (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-7) and to give you the power to forgive others.

Second, the Holy Spirit will be in you as an endless blessing of grace. You cannot exhaust the supply of My presence, grace, and power within you. Remember My earlier promise about the Holy Spirit:

On the last day, the biggest day of the festival, Jesus stood again and spoke aloud.

Jesus:
If any of you is thirsty, come to Me and drink. If you believe in Me, the Hebrew Scriptures say that rivers of living water will flow from within you.
Jesus was referring to the realities of life in the Spirit made available to everyone who believes in Him. But the Spirit had not yet arrived because Jesus had not been glorified.
(John 7:37-39)

Now that I had been glorified, they were about to experience the powerful work of the Spirit. As you read the verses below, please know that My presence and power are also available to you through the Holy Spirit today. So come close to Me. Lean in and let Me share the Breath of heaven with you so that you can answer My call:

In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you.

Go and please share My grace by the power of the Spirit!

Verses to Live

Today we have sections of scripture from two of the Gospels. The first section, from Luke's Gospel, begins with the last few verses from yesterday. It continues to recount My joining the disciples in Jerusalem and interacting with them. The second section from John's Gospel also gives an account of My interaction with some disciples. Things are recorded in both sections to demonstrate that I was really alive, raised from the dead. I was really present with them in My resurrected body, interacting with them and telling them about the coming of the Holy Spirit to help them fulfill their mission to tell others about Me.

So they [the two disciples Jesus met on the road to Emmaus] get up immediately and rush back to Jerusalem - all seven miles - where they find the eleven gathered together - the eleven plus a number of others. [The followers had gathered together behind locked doors in fear that some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were still searching for them.] Before Cleopas and his companion can tell their story, the others have their own story to tell.

Other Disciples:
The Lord has risen indeed! It's true! He appeared to Simon!
Then the two men report their own experience - their conversation along the road, their moment of realization and recognition as He broke the bread. At that very instant, as they're still telling the story, Jesus is there, standing among them!

Jesus:
May you have peace!
They're startled and terrified; they think they're seeing a ghost.

Jesus:
Why are you upset? Why are your hearts churning with questions? Look - look at My hands and My feet! See that it's Me! Come on; touch Me; see for yourselves. A ghost doesn't have flesh and bones, as you can see that I have!
Then He shows them His hands and His feet.

Now their fear gives way to joy; but it seems too good to be true, and they're still unsure.

Jesus:
Do you have anything here to eat?
They hand Him a piece of broiled fish, and He takes it and eats it in front of them.
(Luke 24:33-43)

Jesus:
I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you.
Now He drew close enough to each of them that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them:

Jesus:
Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God. You now have the mantle of God's forgiveness. As you go, you are able to share the life-giving power to forgive sins, or to withhold forgiveness.
All of the eleven were present with the exception of Thomas. He heard the accounts of each brother's interaction with the Lord.

The Other Disciples:
We have seen the Lord!
Thomas:
Until I see His hands, feel the wounds of the nails, and put my hand to His side, I won't believe what you are saying.
(John 20:21-25)

Response in Prayer

O Father in heaven, please fill me with Your Spirit. Yes, dear Father, I believe Your Spirit is present in me. Therefore, I yield my will and open my heart to be led and transformed by the Holy Spirit so that I can share the gracious compassion of Jesus and show His holy character in my life. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.