The Easter series will help us investigate the impact of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  In the fourth gospel, we read that a week after finding the empty tomb and hearing testimony that Jesus is alive the disciples have locked themselves in a room in fear of the Jews.  Paralyzed in fear, the disciples are impotent and useless.  In the midst of this Jesus appears to them and “breathes on them,” giving them his Holy Spirit.  Thomas misses this and refuses to believe unless he touches Jesus.  In another account of Peter and the apostles before the temple courts in Acts, we do not see a trace of the fear that John’s gospel portrayed prior to Jesus’ breathing on them.  These disciples are now living in obedience and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit has put to rest all fear.  Without the Holy Spirit in our lives leading us, we cannot change.  We cannot go from fear to faith.  Thomas represents many of us.  Thomas, a disciple of Christ, a courageous person (John 11:16), wrestles with his faith.  He has a faith that seeks understanding.  When found, Thomas is fully dedicated to serving his “Lord and God.” Jesus blesses “those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”  We are a part of the blessing.  John’s purpose in writing his gospel was so that, “you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.”  When we believe, as the apostles said in acts, “we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”  We already have, let us now live being lead by the Holy Spirit.

Fleeting Fear
John 20:19-31; Acts 5:27-31

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’^{12Jesus saidaddfad}” – John 20:21-22
“But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than any human authority.’” – Acts 5:29