He Breathed On Them

John 20:21-22 (NIV)
²¹ Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
²² And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

 In Genesis God breathed the breath of life into Adam and Adam rose alive.  Likewise, Jesus breathes on His disciples and they are made alive in the Holy Spirit.  Their own spirits are quickened.  They are now ready for the Holy Spirit to descend on them in power and might as would happen later. 

In the first Adam, spiritual death entered creation through disobedience.  Spiritual life has been regained through the obedience and sacrifice of Christ.  We have been sealed in that life by the giving of the Holy Spirit.

It is with thanksgiving and joy that we consider that the same breath of life is given to you and me by our God and Father through our faith in Jesus.  Each breath we take can be a reminder of our new life as children of God.  Therein is the comfort and strength that we can call on today and the promise of our hope to come.  So He has spoken and so it will be.