Pentecost – 2018: The Fire of the Spirit in John’s gospel… (2)

Instead of fire from heaven, John’s gospel portrays the Risen Christ, Jesus, the Word of God as effective and purifying

Chapter Twenty:  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.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

He breathed on them… The gift of the Spirit pours out new creation, new hope & sight! new life to the dead!

Genesis 2:5–7            … then the Lord God formed Adam from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.

Wisdom of Solomon 15:10f             Their heart is ashes, their hope is cheaper than dirt, and their lives are of less worth than clay, because they failed to know the one who formed them and inspired them with active souls and breathed a living spirit into them.

Ezekiel 37:8f             I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them.  Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”

“Receive, accept the Holy Spirit – let it in!”

This is the better translation and it reveals Jesus’ work with Simon Peter in chapter 21 to hold him fast/restore him:  “If you forgive… and if you hold them fast / repair / restore them, they are held fast / repaired / restored! [krateo]

Nehemiah 3:8–11            Next to them Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10 Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house; and next to him Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs. 11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens.

Psalm 73:23f             Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor.

Isaiah 41:12–14             You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.   For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”  Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Baruch 4:1f             She is the book of the commandments of God, the law that endures forever. All who hold her fast will live, and those who forsake her will die. Turn, O Jacob, and take her; walk toward the shining of her light.

Again, chapter 21 sill show how Jesus restores/repairs [krateo] Simon Peter after his denial of ever knowing Jesus.

This is the gift of the Spirit acting in and through Jesus, which will act in and through the disciples!