John 20:21-23 ESV
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
The story of God breathing on Adam the gift of life is repeated with Jesus breathing on the disciples.
The disciples hold a special place within the church and with their relation to Christ. They received the breath of God in a unique fashion. They were were the first to receive what everyone in the body of Christ is destined to receive, and that is the Holy Spirit. This Spirit unites with our spirits, joining us to God and each other.
The Holy Spirit enables the discernment and judgement of sin. The Spirit descended upon Christ and the fullness of the Father was pleased to dwell in the Son. Just as Christ breathed the Spirit upon these disciples, so He breathes the breath of life on all who call on His name. To receive Christ is to receive the Holy Spirit, for they are the same in the mystery of the Trinity. He alone will judge all hearts. As we grow in the mind of Christ so we will be able to perceive and understand in the way of the Spirit.
It is Jesus Who sends us into the world to shed His light. We are children of that light. We have become sons of God. This happens when we receive the Holy Spirit.
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