At a dinner, someone asked us, “What is something you would love to do if money were no object – if you had all the money you needed?” We shared crazy dreams of beginning new ventures or worldwide travels. Someone else asked, “What would you do if fear was no object?” We sat quietly for a while. Then people spoke of seemingly small things with big impact: reaching out to repair a relationship, living more authentically, speaking up for stuff that matters, telling someone they love them.
Fear is one of the things that keeps us from living the life that Jesus has in store for us. On that first Easter night, the disciples don’t yet know that it’s Easter (though they would have, if only they had listened the women!). They are literally locked up in fear. But Jesus stands among them and twice says, “Peace be with you” (John 19, 21). He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 22).
Jesus breathes the Spirit upon his disciples to give them courage and faith amid their fear. When we are locked in rooms of shame or timidity or uncertainty, Jesus breathes peace into us.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “The gift of the Spirit: A divine wild goose chase” by Sara Olson-Smith in the September/October 2021 Gather magazine. Today is the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost.
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