God Pause - The Lutheran Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Thursday, 1 June 2017 - John 20:19-23
John 20:19 In the evening that same day, the first day of the week, when the talmidim were gathered together behind locked doors out of fear of the Judeans, Yeshua came, stood in the middle and said, “Shalom aleikhem!” 20 Having greeted them, he showed them his hands and his side. The talmidim were overjoyed to see the Lord. 21 “Shalom aleikhem!” Yeshua repeated. “Just as the Father sent me, I myself am also sending you.” 22 Having said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Ruach HaKodesh! 23 If you forgive someone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you hold them, they are held.” [Complete Jewish Bible]
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This is the Pentecost story according to John. In this story the disciples didn't have to wait 50 days. The risen Christ literally breathed into them the Holy Spirit that first Easter night. The disciples were gathered behind locked doors. They were afraid. They didn't know what to do or which way to go. What inspired this rag tag group of followers to go out and witness to the world that God raised Jesus from the dead? Jesus showed up and blessed them. Jesus breathed into them. Then he sent them.
God does the same thing for us. God breathes into us on the first day of the week, gathers us around word and sacrament, and then sends us out to be witnesses of the son's resurrection. Jesus didn't leave us orphaned after the ascension, but promised to be present in a new way.
Come, Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wolfgang W. Laudert, '11
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Staten Island, N.Y.
John 20:19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." [New Revised Standard Version]
-------The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
This is the Pentecost story according to John. In this story the disciples didn't have to wait 50 days. The risen Christ literally breathed into them the Holy Spirit that first Easter night. The disciples were gathered behind locked doors. They were afraid. They didn't know what to do or which way to go. What inspired this rag tag group of followers to go out and witness to the world that God raised Jesus from the dead? Jesus showed up and blessed them. Jesus breathed into them. Then he sent them.
God does the same thing for us. God breathes into us on the first day of the week, gathers us around word and sacrament, and then sends us out to be witnesses of the son's resurrection. Jesus didn't leave us orphaned after the ascension, but promised to be present in a new way.
Come, Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wolfgang W. Laudert, '11
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Staten Island, N.Y.
John 20:19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."
20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." [New Revised Standard Version]
-------The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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