After The Resurrection

That evening, the disciples gathered together, and because they were afraid of reprisals from the Jewish leaders, they had locked the doors. But suddenly Jesus appeared among them and said, “Peace to you!” Then He showed them the wounds of His hands and His side—they were overjoyed to see the Lord with their own eyes! Jesus repeated His greeting, “Peace to you!” And He told them, Just as the Father has sent Me, I’m now sending you.  Then, taking a deep breath, He blew on them and said, Receive Holy Spirit. I send you to preach the forgiveness of sins—and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.  John 20:19-23 TPT

Think about that verse for a moment, reread it when you get a chance later- This is the first appearance to the inner circle of Jesus Christ’s disciples as a group (except for Thomas) after the Resurrection and a precursor of Pentecost when Holy Spirit was given more broadly to His followers. 

Jesus promised Holy Spirit to the disciples in the context of sending them to continue His ministry of announcing the Kingdom of His grace and peace. I don’t think this ministry was optional. They took up their cross. Holy Spirit was (and is) necessary for carrying out God’s plan. Wow! The same is true for each of us today. When we give our hearts to Jesus We are called and we are empowered and commanded - to step forward inviting Holy Spirit to hang out with us and absolutely relying on Him for each step each moment of discernment each piece of wisdom needed to get through the next hour let alone the rest of the day! 

Holy Spirit is a Christians’ only hope of fulfilling all the things we are created to do. We need Him not only to demonstrate God’s supernatural power but also to love those around us the way Jesus wants us to. We need the Spirit to live in obedience to God’s Word, resist temptations to sin, and even keep our mouths shut when we want to lash out. It’s impossible to be a true disciple of Jesus without a deep relationship with Holy Spirit.

Jesus knew firsthand the power associated with Holy Spirit. I’m not talking about explosions on the sun. I’m talking about universe-creating power. When God said, “Let there be” (Genesis. 1), He demonstrated a make-it-happen kind of power. 

All that power dwelled in Jesus, ready to be unleashed with just a word. It is limitless power, able to heal the sick, drive out devils, and calm storms. It was the same power that raised the dead body of Jesus back to life. it is called dunamis power. It’s where we get the word dynamite.

The Holy Spirit Reveals Truth and we need truth in the worst sort of way. The current mantra seems to be “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up!” 

A lot of erroneous teachings are out there, and people just soak them up. Information is coming at us faster than ever before. 

The problem is, we don’t need more information. What we need is more truth. God’s truth. And who better to reveal truth than Holy Spirit- the Spirit of truth? 

John 16:13 TPT But when the truth-giving Spirit comes, He will unveil the reality of every truth within you. He won’t speak on His own, but only what He hears from the Father, and He will reveal prophetically to you what is to come. 

Holy Spirit sits with us as we read the Bible, giving wisdom and insight over each verse. He illuminates and shines on scripture the light of understanding. Amazing grace! And on the other hand This is why people who don't know Jesus, who don’t have Holy Spirit inside can read the Bible and get nothing or, worse, come up with some strange doctrine. 

Each day when I open my Bible to study God’s Word, I pray, “Holy Spirit, join me, correct me, teach me. 

We all need to do this because people will come along with heaps of theologies, opinions, and interpretations of Scripture.  

We need to seek God in His word so He can explain to us the actual intent. 

We can know the truth. We don’t have to be in the dark or be deceived.