{"id":109,"date":"2022-01-26T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reflectivebiblestudy.com\/gospeladventure\/?p=109&2022"},"modified":"2022-01-24T17:00:12","modified_gmt":"2022-01-25T00:00:12","slug":"receiving-the-holy-spirit-john-20-19-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reflectivebiblestudy.com\/gospeladventure\/receiving-the-holy-spirit-john-20-19-23\/","title":{"rendered":"Receiving the Holy Spirit: John 20:19-23"},"content":{"rendered":"
Focus Passage: John 20:19-23 (GNT)<\/div>

\u00a019<\/sup> It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came and stood among them.
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peace be with you, he said.\u00a020<\/sup> After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord.\u00a021<\/sup> Jesus said to them again,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.\u00a022<\/sup> Then he breathed on them and said,
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Receive the Holy Spirit.\u00a023<\/sup> If you forgive people\u2019s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.<\/p>\r\n

Read John 20:19-23<\/a> in context and\/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!<\/p><\/div><\/div>\r\n

In today\u2019s journal entry, we will be looking at one of the last passages in the gospels, and uncovering an idea that I have not heard discussed before. In this passage, we read the following words, \u201cThen he breathed on them and said, \u2018Receive the Holy Spirit.\u2019\u201d (verse 22)<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n

Jesus \u201cbreathed on them\u201d. This is one idea that we don\u2019t find included in too many sermons. We like to focus on Jesus\u2019 promise to send the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17<\/a>)<\/em>, and we like to focus on the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples (Acts 2:1-13<\/a>)<\/em>, but we often gloss over or ignore this key idea between the promise and the fulfillment of the promise.<\/p>\r\n

In Jesus\u2019 breath, I believe He is singling out the disciples for receiving the Holy Spirit. We may think of this as God placing His mark on each of them, and preparing them for when they receive the gift.<\/p>\r\n

Also, Jesus says \u201cReceive the Holy Spirit.\u201d This is both a promise and a command. It is a promise because the Holy Spirit is coming to them, and it is also a command for them to receive the Holy Spirit when He comes.<\/p>\r\n

This brings a number of other thoughts into my mind: <\/p>\r\n