The Holy Spirit: Breathed out by the Risen Lord

This Sunday we conclude our mini-series on the teaching of Jesus about the Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel. We are in the upper room, and we are recalling the moment the Risen Lord walked through locked doors in his glorious resurrected human body. What is of interest to us is the prophetic symbol he gave to the gathered disciples when he appeared to them: ’he breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20.22). This symbol is made up of two parts- Jesus’ dramatic breathing out over them, and secondly the words “Receive the Spirit”. Together action and word point to the truth that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son. While this is a truth we are familiar with, it has powerful application that we can never exhaust. It means that all spiritual experience that could be considered ‘holy’ will have Jesus at the centre. Saints of old, our favourite internet preachers or charismatic worship leaders, even Paul, Peter or Mary themselves, do not breath the Spirit upon us. Only Christ. Let us centre our spiritual searches, therefore, upon him.

Reflection Questions

How do you see a longing for spiritual experience in your network of family or friends?

2. In John 20.19-23 how does this eye-witness account point to the new powers of Jesus’ resurrected body?

3. In John 20.22 the Risen Lord offers a symbol of the truth that the Spirit will proceed from him. What are the two parts to this symbol?

4. What has to happen before Jesus sends the Spirit upon the discipleship community in a powerful new way? When will this occur? (See John 15.26 & 16.7, and Acts 2.32-33).

5. We live as the discipleship community, this side of Pentecost. Where should we seek spiritual experience? From who?

6. Reflect on some ways the Ascended Lord might more fully become the centre of your search for spiritual vitality in: (i) your personal prayer life, (ii) neighbour love and good deeds in this world, (iii) even in disappointment and suffering. What does it mean to keep Jesus at the centre, and therefore open yourself to the Spirit’s filling, in these dimensions of life?