- a personal meeting with Jesus.
- meeting with Christ in the lives of those who are his disciples.
- through reading of the Scriptures and giving ourselves into the likeness of Christ.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:21-23 NIV)
The interaction of Jesus with Thomas is perhaps one of the most commonly misunderstood passages of the New Testament. The Instruction of Jesus to Thomas is quite clear: and do not be unfaithful but faithful {καὶ μὴ γίνου ἄπιστος ἀλλὰ πιστός. (John 20:27b)}. Thomas has refused to acknowledge the vindication of Jesus through his resurrection, prior to seeing and touching him. Jesus clearly challenges this. Jesus had made it clear that Father would vindicate him and all he stood for. Those who will acknowledge him and embrace with faithfulness without seeing him physically will be blessed indeed; and by this he refers to all disciples since the moment of his ascension into heaven.
The order of events that we see in the Scriptural narratives is that we give our lives to Christ and then we receive the Holy Spirit. Identification with the Christ who has given himself for us, together with surrender and consecration to pursue conformity to Christ, precede the enabling power for the Christian life coming upon us.
Have you given your life to Jesus? Read the gospels afresh and come into life today. And then get ready for your personal Pentecost.
