John 20:19-23 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Meredith Andrews – Spirit Of The Living God (Official Lyric Video)
• Breathe on Me Breath of God | Reawaken Hymns | Official Lyric Video
• Send Me (Lyric Video) – Jenn Johnson feat. Chris Quilala

Resources for Family Worship (with Children)

• God’s Story: After the Tomb – Lesson for Kids
• Northview Kids – PEACE LIKE A RIVER – Song for Kids
• Fruit of the Spirit Song with motions and lyrics – Song for Kids
• This Little Light of Mine | Cave Quest VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Mary Magdalene, who had met the risen Lord outside the tomb, would have gone to the disciples gathered there and told them what she had seen and heard. But they could not believe her. Anyone would have responded that way. That evening, the “disciples” (v. 19) were gathered together in one place. Judas Iscariot and Thomas were not there. Their hearts were confused by the stories they had heard from Peter, John, and Mary Magdalene, and they were trembling in fear, wondering whether “the Jewish people,” that is, the Jewish leaders who had put Jesus to death, might come to seize them as well. They could not believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead.

In the midst of that, the risen Jesus suddenly appeared among them. To say that he had risen from the dead means that he had gone beyond three-dimensional space and one-dimensional time. Therefore, he could reveal himself within three-dimensional space and also go beyond it. If an ant is trying to go somewhere but a large rock blocks its way, and I lift and move that rock for it, then to the ant, a miracle has happened. The ant lives in three dimensions, but experiences only two dimensions. Its experience of three dimensions is extremely limited. That difference is why what the risen Lord does appears to us as something we cannot understand.

The Lord who appeared among the disciples greeted them by saying, “Peace be with you!” This was a customary Jewish greeting (“Shalom”). Sometimes an ordinary greeting comes with an entirely new meaning. It would have been so when the risen Lord spoke these words. At that moment, the disciples must have been startled as though they were seeing a ghost. Jesus showed them his two pierced hands and his side that had been pierced by a spear (v. 20). Only then did the disciples recognize that it was him and rejoice. Jesus once again wished them peace, and then said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (v. 21). For the salvation of this world, which God the Father loved so much that he gave his one and only Son without sparing him (3:16), Jesus was now saying that he would send the disciples whom he loved.

Then Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (v. 22). This brings to mind how God formed Adam from the dust and breathed into him (Gen. 2:7). This breath is different from the breath we ordinarily breathe. The Lord, who had moved into God’s dimension, breathed into them the Holy Spirit that was within him. This was likely an act that foreshadowed the powerful coming of the Holy Spirit upon them at Pentecost. Then Jesus added, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they remain” (v. 23). The work they were to do after being changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and going out into the world was this: that all people would receive forgiveness of sins and be restored as children of God.

Meditation:

The created world is God’s workmanship, and every living thing that has breath is God’s child. But because of the sin humanity chose, God’s workmanship was terribly damaged, and human beings fell into sin and lost the status and rights of being God’s children. Even so, God did not give up on this world. He loves the created world, every living thing in it, and all humanity to the very end. That love was proven when he sent his one and only Son into the world to show his love for the world and for humanity. The cross is a powerful declaration saying, “This is how much I love you.” You cannot make someone believe how much you love them merely by saying it. You can only show it with your body. When we discover that love, we long to return and find our place in his embrace.

After finishing his mission on earth, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, blessed them with peace, and told them that he would send them into the world. The disciples, who had locked the doors inward and were trembling in fear because they were afraid of the world, must have trembled even more at these words. Knowing this, Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (v. 22). If we read the story that follows, they did not receive the Holy Spirit at that moment. Jesus spoke this with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in mind. They were nothing more than lumps of clay shaped into human beings. When the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they can cast off their fear, go out into the world, and proclaim God’s love.

Jesus came in the flesh, endured all kinds of suffering, died on the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day so that every soul in the world might return to God, receive forgiveness of sins, be restored as his children, and enter into eternal life. For that work, God still pours out the Holy Spirit upon us today and tells us to go out into the world.

Could it be that we are still crouching in fear inside a room with the door locked from within? Could it be that the Holy Spirit is telling us to go out, but we are pretending not to hear and turning away? Could it be that the Holy Spirit within us is groaning because of this?

Key Verse: 22–23

After saying this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they remain.”

Prayer:

This day, we breathe in the Holy Spirit of the Lord. Fill our inner being with your Spirit. Then we will gain the power to forgive those who sin against us, and through our love, they will come to know you. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus comes into our fear with his peace, fills us with the Holy Spirit, and sends us out to share his love and forgiveness.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Why were the disciples hiding behind locked doors?
  • What did Jesus say when he came to them?
  • When you feel scared, how can you remember that Jesus is with you?
• Youth:
  • Have you ever felt like staying “behind locked doors” emotionally, socially, or spiritually?
  • What is the difference between being pushed by guilt and being sent by Jesus’ peace?
  • How might the Holy Spirit help a quiet person witness in a real and honest way?