Powerless or Empowered?

“And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, ‘receive ye the Holy Ghost…’” (John 20:22)

Jesus had told them that it was expedient for them that He go away: for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you…” (John 16:7) Jesus had been glorified. (John 7:39) And now, He breathed on them and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

The “breathing” on them reminds us of Genesis 2:7 which says, “The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Or Ezekiel 37:9-10 when the prophet was in the Valley of Dry Bones and the bones came together and skin came upon them and breath came into them and they lived.

Jesus had just commissioned these ten to go into the world. He gave them Holy Spirit power to do the work. In just a few days our Savior would commission the 120 and they would be empowered on the Day of Pentecost.

Beloved, you and I are powerless to do the work of God in our own strength. We need the indwelling Holy Spirit to do the work of God.