Resurrection Devotional - Day 2

Read John 20:19-23.

Here we see Jesus breathe on the disciples and they receive the Holy Spirit. This encounter is very different from what will happen to them in a few days from now at Pentecost. Here the disciples receive the Holy Spirit in the same manner as all Christians do post-resurrection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal of our salvation. Here with the help of the Holy Spirit, we grow and bear the fruit of the Spirit in Jesus, however our lives still look the same as before. Many Christians are at this point in their walk with Jesus and at this point we are all given the authority and ministry of forgiveness.

Have you exercised that authority? Jesus sends us out to do exactly that, not just forgive people who have wronged us, but also to extend forgiveness to others who need it. This is a ministry to which all Christians are called to that is mostly ignored. So today go out there with a renewed sense of purpose and call and begin to prayerfully forgive people around you. Listen to people’s stories and offer them forgiveness. As we have freely received, so freely give. As Jesus prayed for those that were crucifying him: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do…through the love of Jesus, we can also forgive others who are seemingly underserving of forgiveness.

This is the grace of God. We shouldn’t have been forgiven, but he died on the cross to save us, to forgive us and reconcile us to the Father. Now go and do the same. Our Lord Jesus Christ, sends us out and so go and forgive.