A few days after Easter, the disciples were still hiding. They
were afraid of being arrested and killed like Jesus had been. The
room they were in was locked up tight, so they knew they were safe.
Then, all of a sudden, Jesus was in the room with them. How do you
think he got in? Do you think the disciples were surprised? What do
you think they did?
Jesus said, Peace be with you. He said this because he thought
they might be afraid. Then, he said, God sent me to you, so Im
sending you. And he breathed on them. Hmm. What do you suppose that
meant?
Think about this
Think about the story of when God created the earth and the
people and God breathed on them.
Breath is very important in the Bible. It is Gods way of giving
us something important. In the creation story, God breathed life
into those very first people. Now, Jesus is breathing on his
disciples. But, since they were already alive, he was breathing on
them to give them Gods Spirit of life for a different reason.
If you have a big job to do, do you want to just go out and do
it without knowing how? Or without having the right tools or
instructions?
When Jesus breathed Gods Spirit into the disciples, he was
getting them ready to go out into the world to do his work. Gods
Spirit would help them. The Spirit would teach them - like having
the right tools or instructions.
Thomas, one of the disciples, wasnt there that day and he didnt
believe that Jesus had really been there or that Jesus had done
that. So, a few days later, Jesus came back again. Jesus knew that
Thomas didnt really believe it was him, so he told Thomas to touch
the nail marks in his hands and his feet.
When Thomas did, he was amazed. He said, My Lord and my God,
because he knew it really was Jesus.
After that, even Thomas was ready to do hard work for Jesus. But
Jesus said something else. He said, Happy are those who dont see
and believe. He knew that not everyone would be able to see him and
touch him like Thomas and the disciples did, but wed still need to
love him, believe in him, and do his work.
Are you ready to work for Jesus? Gods Spirit is breathing right
on you, too. What kind of work will it help you do?
Click here for a full coloring page of Jesus appearing in the
upper room.
John 20:19-31Breathing Gods Spirit
Single use permission granted in homes and churches 2014 Tamalyn
L. Kralman Please contact [email protected] for all other
uses.
