The Power of the Holy Spirit

May 28, Pentecost Sunday
Daily Readings: 1st: Acts 2:1-11; 2nd: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; Gospel: John 20: 19-23

The Gospel of John records the miraculous appearance of Jesus Christ to his disciples after his resurrection. Jesus showed them his hands and his side, and the disciples rejoiced when they saw him.

In this passage, Jesus gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering them to continue his mission on earth. Today, we will examine this passage and learn about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The disciples' fear is the first thing we notice in this passage. They hid behind locked doors, afraid of the Jewish leaders. But Jesus appeared in their midst and said, "Peace be with you!" He showed his hands and side, proving he had risen from the dead. This is a powerful reminder that Jesus is always with us and can bring peace to our troubled hearts.

But Jesus didn't stop there. He continued, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This is a call to mission—to go out into the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ. But how can we do this? We are weak human beings, prone to fear and failure. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in. Jesus breathed on his disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

This is a decisive moment, reminiscent of the creation story in Genesis, where God breathed life into Adam. The Holy Spirit is the breath of God, the power that sustains us and empowers us to do God's will. With the Holy Spirit, we can boldly overcome our fears and doubts and proclaim the gospel.

But what does it mean to receive the Holy Spirit? It means that we are no longer alone. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our guide, and our comforter. He teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus said. He gives us spiritual gifts to use in service to God and others. He produces in us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The power of the Holy Spirit is real and available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. As we go out into the world to share the gospel, let us rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us. Let us serve others with love, joy, and peace, knowing that the Holy Spirit works in us and through us. Let us not be afraid, for Jesus is with us.

Let us pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives and churches so that we may be effective witnesses for Christ.