Breathe On Me

Title: Breathe On Me

Scripture: John 20:19-24; Revelation 1:4-8; Psalm 107:1-9;33-43

Summary: What happens when Jesus is in the midst of His disciples? If we allow Jesus to come into our midst, we shall be filled with peace, stability, joy, forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.

INTRO:

Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Have you ever been in a room when suddenly someone walks in and there is this air of electricity; this certain spark of energy that accompanies them?

It seems that certain people just possess an added bit of charisma or charm that can change the very atmosphere of a room or a meeting. They possess a certain “specialness” that causes people to stop and pay attention.

Historians tell us that both Presidents J. F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan possessed that type of specialness. Whenever they would walk into a room, the whole atmosphere of the room was transformed. People stopped what they were doing to make sure that they could see them and hear what they were saying.

In our passage this morning, we see Jesus doing the same thing. He suddenly comes into the disciples’ room and the whole atmosphere is transformed. Things go from being downcast and negative to becoming electrifying and positive. The disciples go from being anxiety ridden and fearful to possessing courage. They go from experiencing feelings of confusion and sorrow to experiencing joy and happiness.

I believe this morning, that is what Jesus wants to do for everyone. I believe that is what Jesus wants us to experience when we come to a time of prayer and/or worship. I believe that when we allow Jesus in the room (in our hearts, our minds and our souls) we will be able to experience a presence of joy, peace, salvation and courage in amazing ways.

With that in mind, let’s look for a few moments what Jesus’ Presence was able to do for His disciples back then and what I believe His Presence can do for us today.

I. Jesus’ Presence Brought Peace and Stability

In verse 19 we read where Jesus’ disciples were hiding behind a locked door because they were afraid.

Even though they had heard the message of the Risen Lord from the women and had listened intently to what Peter and John saw at the tomb they were still afraid. They were afraid for their lives and for the lives of their families.

Down deep, the disciples knew it would not be long before the Sadducees and the Pharisees would want them silenced. They knew that both Pilate and the Temple would be doing all they could to destroy any teachings or influence of the Jesus Movement.

After all, the Temple had been successful in finding Jesus guilty of both treason and blasphemy. That meant that Jesus’ disciples could also be arrested for the same things; treason and blasphemy. They could find themselves arrested, beaten and at the very least thrown into prison and at the very worst hanging on a cross taking their last breaths of life.

I am sure the people huddled down in that room were wondering how long they would have to hide out in Jerusalem until things died down. How long would it take before they could safely go back to Galilee and disappear back into their old lives?

What would they do now?

+Could Andrew, Peter, James and John go back to fishing?

+Could Matthew go back to being a tax collector?

+Could Simon the Zealot get back into politics?

+Could Bartholomew go back to his royal family?

Would they or their families ever be safe?

What would the new normal look like?

Just as they were perhaps wondering about all of those things it happened. Suddenly, in the middle of all their anxiety and angst Jesus appears. Right there standing in front of them was Jesus, alive and well.

I am sure it had to startle them. After all, the doors were shut. But right here in front of them was Jesus. There was no denying that it was Jesus. He showed them His hands and feet. They saw the nail prints and they heard His voice speaking peace – “Peace be with you.”

“Peace – Be – With – You”

There is no fussing about why they were not at the tomb.

There is no fussing about locking the door in fear.

There is no fussing about how they had abandoned him.

There is no judgment or condemnation.

There was just the voice of peace. There was just the voice that was able to bring harmony, stability, courage and calmness.

That is what happens when Jesus enters our rooms when they are filled with fear, with doubt and despair. That is what happens when Jesus enters our rooms when they are filled with uncertainty, confusion and chaos.