Loaded Benefits II

Acts 2:^2-4 “Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…”

John 20:²² “Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” What is the difference between what happened in Acts 2 and this experience in John 20? When Jesus breathed on the disciples here, they were clothed with power and authority as a Church. Jesus was clothing them with His power and authority. John 20:²³ “If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” It is almost unbelievable that God will give men such authority. But the Church has that power to retain people’s sin and to forgive.

What happened at Pentecost was what was prophesied in Joel 2:^28-29. “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” (KJV). It is an outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh. Till today the Spirit is poured out on us and everybody. We can say what happened in John 20:22 was a foretaste of what happened in Acts 2. What happened in Acts was the outburst but this experience was like, ‘take this but wait until you get endued with power.’ So, it is the same Holy Spirit but at different intensity and different outpouring. Just like a glass; half full and overflowing.

John 20:¹⁷ “…But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (emphasis added). Now because of the sacrifice on the cross of Calvary, the veil has been torn and we are now children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. So, authentically the disciples legitimately became Jesus’s brothers after the resurrection. Jesus could now say, “my brothers”, then, “…tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” In other words, we have the same Father. And in John 20:²¹ “…As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” In other words, the same authority I have, you have. Amazing!

I want us to spend some time today reflecting on our learnings and all that God has impressed upon our hearts from our discourse on John 20. God rewards those who sincerely seek Him; people who like Mary are not impressed by the linen or the folded headcover, people who are not impressed by angels. People who look beyond all that and are sincerely seeking Jesus. When you are in God’s presence, what are you thirsting for? Most times, hunger, thirst determines what flows to you. Our hunger and thirst have a way of birthing amazing depths in God. Jesus was moved by Mary’s heart towards Him and He showed Himself to her. I pray that as we continue to hunger for God, God will reveal Himself to us and take us deeper into God.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your love, Your kindness, and Your mercies. Breathe upon me, Father, and reveal Yourself to me, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!