Daily Devotion, May 31, 2020

Devotion: Read John 20:19-22.

  This scene of Jesus breathing on the disciples and inviting them to receive the Holy Spirit harkens back to the creation story that I referred to yesterday in Genesis 2:7. It is a reminder that only by God’s creating grace are we given life. Jesus is again creating here, breathing the life-giving Spirit into these disciples, who will continue to be his Body (the Church) on earth.

 

  It is vital that as we seek to do the work of our Lord, we are always seeking the Holy Spirit to guide us, continuing to create us as the people of Christ. That work of creation never ceases. We are continually being formed as the Body of Christ. When we try to do things on our own, that effort will often be “life-less.” It will die because it was not “God-breathed.” It does not have the Spirit of God in it.

  This Spirit is given to us as a gift (“Receive the Holy Spirit”), just like being given the gift of life itself. So, rather than deciding what needs to be done, then asking God to bless it, we first receive the Spirit, who guides us in what we are to do. Receive this Spirit, then go be the people of Christ! Personal Worship Option:

Here are words to two verses from a beautiful hymn, written by Edwin Hatch (I have changed some pronouns to help it flow better for today):

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, 

  that I may love what you would love, and do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly yours, 

till all this earthly part of me glows with your fire divine.