Loving God, creator of new days and new opportunities, grant that this dear reader take advantage of all that may come their way that serves You; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text today comes from John 20:19 Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." 20 Then he showed them his hands and side. 21 Jesus repeated his greeting: "Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you." 22 Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. "Receive the Holy Spirit," he said. 23 "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?" 24 But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master." But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it." 26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." 27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." 28 Thomas said, "My Master! My God!" 29 Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." 30 Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. 31 These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it. (The Message)
This coming Sunday is the Birthday of the Church. It is Pentecost Sunday when the Church celebrates the coming down of power from the Holy Spirit among the believers of Christ Jesus in Jerusalem. The key verse for this Sunday from the Gospel is found in verse 22 where it says that Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The fire of tongues did not yet come upon them as we will read tomorrow from Acts, chapter two, but it was a preparation for them of the greater thing that was to come. Nevertheless, notice the power given to them in this passage. The forgiveness of sins was given to them as was their not to forgive sins. This usually gets hidden in the story of Thomas not being present and then his doubting that Jesus was alive and had visited his followers. Many believe that what had once been a one-volume book, Luke-Acts, was divided precisely because of John's mention of the Holy Spirit and the powers that be felt that what Luke shares in Acts would be better understood if John's Gospel came between Luke and Acts. Now you know!
The power of the Holy Spirit is not understood as much any more. We fail to notice when things happen, opportunities present themselves or we hear nudgings in our spirits to do or say something and we don't. If we would be more open to listening for God, we might just hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to us about life and helping others. Last night at supper, Nellie and I were visiting with a new couple coming into our district for ministry and as we shared life experiences the pastor said, "That was the Holy Spirit." And of course we agreed. Another time, another story of incredible circumstances, again the pastor said, "that was the Holy Spirit." Yes.
What is the Holy Spirit trying to say to you today? Are you listening?
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for the coming and power of Your Holy Spirit. May I listen more closely and may I be willing to be guided by whatever He may want me to do. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
