March 14, 2025 • 30 mins
Chapter 21 of Heroes in the Bible: Jesus with Dr. Tony Evans is inspired by the Gospels.
Breath of Life - Jesus appears before the disciples. The beginning of the church is rising as the disciples are empowered by the risen Lord.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Acts 2:3, And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger and
behold my hands. And reach hither thy hand and thrust
it into my side, and be not faithless but believing.
And Thomas answered and said, unto him, my Lord and
my God John twenty twenty seven and twenty eight. Lord,
(00:24):
there are times when I felt like doubting Thomas. I
had a hard time believing you rose from the grave
after you were crucified. That truth takes a great deal
more faith than my finite little brain can comprehend. But
you understood this unbelief and offered your sacred flesh for
him to touch, so he would believe you had a
(00:47):
purpose for his life and wanted to rid him of
any doubts he had. You have a purpose for my
life too, and you want to erase any doubts I
have as well. I want to touch you, Lord, I
don't a waiver in unbelief. I want to serve you
with my whole heart.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.
From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans JE hosts for Heroes in
the Bible. Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so that
they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because
knowing Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome
to the greatest story ever told. It is a story
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
(01:40):
for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.
This is a story that continues to shape and mold
the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God
right into the hearts of you and me. This episode
gives the Disciples a brief moment with the resurrected Jesus.
Witnesses to his resurrection had come to them, but they
(02:00):
had yet to truly see him. When they hear his
voice and see his scars, they are convinced that he
has indeed risen again. However, as we have said before,
not everyone's faith journey is the same. Two characters in
particular wrestle with shame and doubt, making it hard for
them to truly embrace the resurrection. The prelude to this
(02:21):
story takes us all the way back to the beginning,
when chaos and darkness loomed over the face of the earth,
and the spirit of God was hovering over the face
of the deep. Creation was ushered in by God's spirit,
and the breath of life was given to men and women.
This story provides us with a new type of creation,
new hearts formed and empowered by God's Spirit. I hope
(02:42):
this episode empowers you today. My prayer for you is
that the dark and fearful parts of your heart would
be filled with God's spirit. I pray for anyone who
finds themselves stuck in their homes, afraid to step out.
I pray that the Holy Spirit gives you boldness, comfort
and clarity, and the same breath that breathed life into
humanity moves in you. Here is Episode twenty one, Breath
(03:06):
of Life.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Prelude, Chapter twenty one. All was dark and the chaotic
waters thrashed around the untamed earth. God's spirit hovered over
the face of the waters, waiting detain them. Voice calling
out from the darkness resounded and shook the infant planet.
(03:35):
Let there be light, the voice proclaimed, and as the
Voice of God traveled through space and time, light broke
forth from the nothingness. The Sun's light pierced the dark
and paved the way for life to be created. God
then wove together the earth and all its glory. The
(03:57):
power of his words spoke. The mountains irrupted forth from
the waters. Plants sprang up from the fertile ground. The
creatures of the sea, birds of the air, and beasts
of the land inhabited the new planet and dwelled in bliss.
Their cries, CAUs and growls were like a symphony of
(04:19):
God's creative power. The earth had been made by the
very word of God. He saw the beauty of his
creation and smiled. It is good, God declared, Yet there
was one thing missing. On the final day, the morning
(04:39):
mist was gliding through the tall trees. The sun shone
brightly through the vegetation, and God's spirit descended Like a dove.
God looked at a small plot of dirt and saw
potential for beauty. Gently, like a potter with clay, God
picked up the dust and began to molded to his image.
(05:02):
Delicately and with great care, God formed a creature unlike
any other, a creature that would be his ambassador on earth,
a creature that would walk with him, know him, and
reflect his goodness from the dust of the earth, God
shaped man in his own image. The newly formed human
(05:27):
lay there, lifeless on the ground, an empty vessel, ready
to be filled with the power and life of God.
Leaning down, the Creator breathed into the man's nostrils. His
very presence, life, and heart was breathed into the man
like a mighty wind. God's spirit was given to him,
(05:49):
and his heart began to beat to the same rhythm
as God's. His spirit was given to men and women
so they may walk in His likeness among the earth.
Every breath they took was a symbol of God's grace.
Without the breath of life, man is nothing but an
(06:10):
empty vessel. Chapter twenty one, Breath of Life. The morning
light had not yet broke forth above the horizon, and
darkness still loomed in the home where the disciples hid.
Ever since Jesus hung on the cross, bloodied and bruised,
(06:32):
they had hid like children. Their protector, provider, and king
was dead, so they remained in their own den of despair,
Unable to console themselves. They hid in fear of what
the Jews would do to them. They had crucified Jesus,
(06:53):
and Jesus had warned them that anything they did to him,
they would do to them as well. There they waited
until the volatility of the priests subsided. There have been
rumors of Jesus's return, yet they had yet to truly
experience it for themselves. Matthew was the first to arise.
(07:16):
He sat over a dimly lit lamp, writing down his
recollections of Jesus. They were fussy and blurred by grief.
He tried to write, but the words seemed uninspired. He
knew the importance of recording the words and works of Jesus,
yet for whatever reason, he could not bring himself to
(07:38):
remember what he needed. He clinched his fist in frustration,
throwing the piece of parchment aside. The other disciples arose
from their beds and walked beside the fireplace. They had
been back in Galilee, in a home by the sea.
The morning breeze slowly made its way through the windows.
(08:01):
Philip tended to the fireplace, boiling water and preparation for
their breakfast. They had not spoken much in the past
three days. There was a collective sadness that bound their lips.
Every time they began to speak, they found themselves lamenting
the loss of their dear friend and Lord. Philip stared
(08:25):
blankly at the fire and turned to Bartholomew. Where are
Peter and Andrew?
Speaker 4 (08:29):
He asked, fishing? Bartholomew answered, Peter is still unconsolable. He
seems to be spending every moment on his boat.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
And what of Thomas, Philip asked, poking the hot coals
below the.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Kettle, tending to his family, I suppose.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Bartholemew said, scratching his head. The coolness of the morning
was replaced by a growing warmth from the Galilean sun.
Thaddeus joined Philip and Bartholomew near the fire. They sat
there and silence for a while, occasionally sharing in a
memory of their time with Jesus. The disciples felt as
(09:06):
though they had failed. For three years, they had followed
Jesus with the expectation of him rising to power. They
had seen so many miracles performed by him that they
truly believed he was the Messiah. However, as the thunder
boomed on that fateful night, all their hopes and dreams
(09:28):
of glory had been shattered. Their confidence and joy was
buried with Jesus in that tomb.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
Who do you think took him Jude asked, was it
the pharisees.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
John shook his head in dismay. Do you think it
is possible? He asked.
Speaker 6 (09:45):
The women said they were told by angels. Do you
think he truly could be risen from the dead.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
As John asked this, there were footsteps approaching the home.
All of the disciples stood to their feet. Simon was
the first to step forward, with his soul Lord held
tightly in his hand. The rest of the men stayed
back As Simon peeped through the crack in the window.
There was a heavy pounding on the door. Simon approached
(10:12):
the door with his sword at the ready. He opened
the door slowly, and bursting through was Peter, fumbling about
with nets and fish in his arms. The rest of
the group sighed in relief. The smell of fish filled
the room as Peter set them on the table.
Speaker 7 (10:28):
I labored all night for less than a dozen fish.
Peter growled. He sat down and rubbed his temples. Peter
had been tormented for days now. Grief and shame had
kept him up. He was a sad sight to behold.
John took the fish, skinned and gutted them, and threw
(10:49):
them into the boiling water. Simon locked the doors again,
standing in attention near the entrance. The kettle simmered, and
the disciples sat in silace for a long while. Peter's
forehead was placed firmly on the table. Then, breaking the silence,
(11:09):
they all heard a familiar voice. Peace be with you,
the voice said.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
The disciples looked up in awe, and the corner of
the room stood Jesus. The men leapt in fear. They
thought they had seen a ghost. Matthew ran to the
corner of the room. Simon drew his sword, and John
fell to his knees. However, Peter stood completely still. He
looked at Jesus with complete dismay. His bottom lip quivered,
(11:41):
and he dipped his head in shame. Jesus's lips hearted
into a familiar smile. He stretched out his arms and said.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Why are you so troubled? And why do I send
so much doubt in your hearts? Come see where they
pierced my hands and my feet. Know that it is I.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
John approached Jesus slowly. He had watched him die. He
watched Jesus be scourged on the wooden post. He saw
Jesus cry out to God on the cross. His heart
beat faster as he approached his master. Jesus greeted him
and stretched out his arms. John looked down to see
(12:23):
scars where the hands met his wrists. He touched them.
He felt the soft tissue where the scars had formed.
He looked at Jesus's feet, where they had driven nails through.
He looked up into Jesus's eyes. They were the same
eyes of compassion and power he had remembered. Tears began
(12:47):
to stream down John's face. Jesus smiled, and John embraced
him tightly. He sobbed in his arms. Jesus laughed and
gestured for the other disciples to come. They ran to him.
The entire room was filled with unquenchable joy. They laughed, cried,
(13:07):
and shouted with triumph in their voices. Their king was alive.
He had risen, just as he said he would. He
embraced his disciples like dear children. Yet Peter was still
sitting at his place. He was frozen, unable to bring
(13:27):
himself forward, unable to face the man he had denied.
Do you have anything to eat, Jesus asked. Philip went
to the kettle and brought out a few fish, together.
They ate and listened to Jesus. It seemed like a
lifetime ago that they were camping in the wilderness of Galilee,
(13:47):
exchanging stories, laughter and dreams. Jesus was just as they remembered,
only now he had a radiance about him that was indescribable.
He was a new man, and the entropy of life
did not seem to have any effect on him.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Remember the words I spoke to you while I was with.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
You, Jesus said, as he finished his fish.
Speaker 5 (14:11):
Everything that was written about me in the Law of Moses,
the prophets, and the Psalms has been fulfilled.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Then Jesus arose from the table and brought them in close.
Peter was silent, remaining in the back. Jesus looked at them.
They stood before him like empty vessels, ready to be
filled with the power and life of God. Peace be
with you.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Now receive the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
As Jesus said this, he leaned in close to them
and breathed the same breath of life that was given
to mankind, And the very beginning was poured out like
a mighty wind. The Creator gave his very presence, life
and heart to them. God's spirit was given to the disciples,
(15:02):
and their hearts began to beat to the same rhythm
as his.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
Behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.
You will be my ambassadors on the earth, filled with power,
and you will do mighty things in all the nations.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
God's spirit poured out on to them and filled their
lungs with new life. In that moment, everything had changed.
John felt like his heart had been re formed as
God's presence was poured into his very soul. He remembered
the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus three years ago.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Truly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
John now understood what Jesus meant. His heart was beating
to a new rhythm. His eyes were opened to see
a new potential for the world around him. John could
now see what Jesus saw. The Kingdom of God was
at hand and moving all around them. John knew that
(16:07):
he had just been born again. As the Holy Spirit
was given to them, their minds were open to understand
the scriptures. Matthew could now remember every word Jesus had
spoken to him. They could now see how Jesus was
interwoven into every fabric of God's story. They could see
(16:28):
that he was the one who wrestled with Jacob. He
was the voice of the burning bush to Moses. He
was the captain of the lord's armies who visited Joshua.
He was the one who stood in the fire with Shadrac,
Meshach and Abeddigo. He was the hero working for the
redemption of man since the very beginning. Jesus lifted his
(16:51):
eyes to them. He looked at them as a general
wood to an army.
Speaker 5 (16:56):
Christ was always meant to suffer and rise again on
the third. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed
in my name to all the nations.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
It is you I send. And with those words Jesus vanished.
Peter's eyes widened and he ran to the corner of
the room where Jesus vanished. He hit the wall and
pounded on it with his fist. Tears streamed down his face,
and he fell to his knees in regret. He didn't
even tell Jesus he was sorry, and now he may
(17:31):
never get the chance. The disciples stood there in awe
of what had happened, yet still filled with unanswered questions.
A few moments later, the door opened. The disciples thought
it might be Jesus again, but it was Thomas. He
was back from tending to his family. The disciples were
(17:52):
still in tears. What happened?
Speaker 6 (17:54):
Thomas said, He's returned. James shouted, Jesus has risen from
the dead.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
He was here.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
The disciples all took turns telling Thomas what had happened.
They were frantic, excited, and confused all at once. Thomas
was a skeptical man. He was analytical, asked questions, and
not quick to make judgments. It is part of why
Jesus chose him. Jesus loved his mind that was willing
(18:23):
to think deeply and consider every option. Thomas shook his head,
unable to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Speaker 8 (18:32):
Unless I see him with my own eyes, I refuse
to believe you.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
But we are.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Telling you the truth, James said, unless.
Speaker 8 (18:40):
I put my fingers through the holes in his wounded hands,
I could not accept that it was Jesus. Perhaps you
saw a vision, ghost, or you are overcome with grief.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
The disciples tried to convince Thomas, but he lifted his
hand and interrupted him.
Speaker 8 (18:56):
Did you hear me, it wasn't Jesus.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
With that, Thomas stormed out and slammed the door behind him.
Thomas's doubt revealed a deep hurt within him. Like Peter,
he felt the pangs of shame. When Jesus was taken
by the guards and the garden of Guessemone, he ran
for his life. He did not fight for Jesus, nor
(19:21):
did he watch his death. Thomas did not want to
believe Jesus had risen because he felt far too much
shame to face him. Eight days had passed and the
disciples had yet to fully understand what they had seen.
Jesus had been gone for so long that even they
were beginning to wonder if they had seen a ghost.
(19:43):
It wasn't a ghost, Philip protested again to Thomas. He
ate a meal with us, and we held him. Thomas
had only grown more bitter as the week rolled on.
Yet in his heart of hearts, he knew the true
reason for his anger was that he had missed what
the others had seen. As Thomas shook his head once
again in doubt, he heard a voice call out to him.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Peace be with you, Thomas, the voice.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
Said behind him. Thomas froze he knew that voice. It
was the voice that had called him long ago. He
turned around and saw Jesus standing there above him. Lord
Thomas asked, is that you? Jesus knelt down and smiled
(20:29):
at Thomas.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Go ahead, my child, feel my hands. See how they
were pierced for you.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Jesus held out his arms. Thomas looked down to see
the scars. He was paralyzed with fear. Then he looked
up to see Jesus's eyes. It was not the scars
that convinced him, but Jesus's familiar gaze. Behind his kind
eyes held the secrets of eternal life. Thomas looked down
(20:59):
and ran his feces across the lord's scarred hands. Thomas
was shaking as he touched him. His eyes began to water,
and his heart welled up with uncontrollable joy. My Lord,
Thomas wept, My God, he cried out loudly. Thomas threw
his arms around Jesus like a lost child, returning to
(21:21):
his father's arms. Jesus held him, allowing his comfort to
wash over him.
Speaker 5 (21:28):
You are blessed, my dear Thomas, for you have seen me.
You have seen my scars and heard my voice.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
And believed, Jesus said, Yet.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
There are those who will not get to see me.
They will not touch my scars or see my face,
yet they will believe. More blessed are those who do
not see me yet still believe.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
After this, Jesus vanished again. Thomas wiped his eyes and
was renewed with purpose. He lifted his gaze to heaven
and received God's spirit. There was no turning back. All
doubt that it clouded Thomas's mind had vanished like a vapor.
Jesus was alive, and Thomas would never be the same again.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
Let me begin with the question do you feel trapped
trapped by fear, indecision, or doubt? Do you feel confined
to your own negative emotions and mental reeling with no
conceivable way out. If you answer yes to any of
these questions, you probably have a sense of how the
disciples were feeling after Jesus died. Sometimes scripture gives us
(22:37):
small details as big metaphors. The locked door of the
house was a small detail that should not be missed.
The disciples locked themselves in, afraid of the outside world.
They were without power, carriage, inspiration, or wisdom For the
next step. Peter had taken up his old trade to
distract himself, while the others remained aimless inside their home.
(22:59):
The image of the bleak and it is supposed to
be held in stark contrast to the disciples we read
about in the Book of Acts. The Disciples in the
Book of Acts were courageous, unashamed, wise, beyond their education,
and powerful. What had to change in order for them
to go from fearful to courageous? What shift needed to
occur for them to go from weak to strong, ignorant
(23:22):
to wise and aimless to passionate? The answer? The Holy Spirit,
The resurrected Jesus appeared to them in splendor and mystery.
His first words were peace be with you. The Disciples
were hiding from the Jews and the Romans, so nowhere
outside their homes seemed safe. It stands to reason they
would be a bit jumpy, so Jesus declared peace right
(23:44):
off the bat. However, his greeting meant more than just
don't worry. After their desertion of Jesus on the day
of his crucifixion, the disciples probably expected him to be angry.
They may have expected rebuke, reprimand, and a demand for repentance. Instead,
Jesus brought a word of peace, beautiful and unifying peace.
(24:05):
Charles Spurgeon had a beautiful quote regarding this passage. He said,
a master came to his cowardly, faithless disciples and stood
in the midst of them, uttering the cheering salutation peace
be under you, my soul. Why should he not come
to thee, though thou be the most unworthy of all
whom he has brought with his blood. I love how
(24:27):
Jesus brought with him peace instead of more anxiety and fear.
Nor did he rebuke them and add to their shame.
The men are naturally in complete dismay. Jesus beckons them
to come closer and touch his scars. He wants them
to know that it is him and also understand what
he has just endured. It is that if Jesus was saying,
(24:49):
look at my scars, I have fought against death and won.
Now you can go and do the same. When we
behold the resurrection and live the life that Jesus has
called us to. Sin and track do not become any
less painful. They still leave a scar, but they do
cease to be paralyzing. They cease to keep us down
and locked in our homes. Whatever shame you've carried, these
(25:11):
scars may remain, but they don't have to keep you
locked in a room anymore. Jesus has triumphed over that
which keeps you locked away from the world. Jesus gathered
his disciples for a specific purpose, to breathe on them.
As odd as this image might sound to you to
a reader familiar with Genesis, Ezkuel, and Daniel, it has
(25:32):
profound implications. This is where the prelude provides us with
context for the episode. When God desired to give life
to mankind, he breathed his spirit into them. The word
for the spirit of the Old Testament was rua or ruaik,
which is the same word for breath, spirit, and wind.
The very life force of God rushed into the nostrils
(25:53):
of humanity and gave them life. The prophet Ezekiel was
given a picture of a valley of dry bones that
form into a vast, lifeless army. When the wind of
God blew through from all angles, life was given to
the lifeless beings, and they became an army of righteousness.
John used the same language as Genesis and Ezechiel. Jesus
(26:13):
breathed into his disciples in the same way he breathed
life into Adam and Eve and the Valley of dry bones.
The disciples were once dead, but now they are alive.
Paul said in Roman six. The spirit of God who
raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just
as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will
give life to your mortal bodies by this same spirit
(26:35):
living within you. That is how the disciples went from
weak to strong, ignorant to wise, and aimless to passionate.
The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and
gave life to humanity breathed new life into the disciples.
This same spirit is offered to anyone who calls upon
the name of Jesus. This episode referred back to episode
(26:55):
five when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus. Do you remember
Jesus talking about being born again by the spirit. Unless
one is born again, he will be unable to truly
see the Kingdom of God, Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled.
He looked around at the disciples. They shrugged. They didn't
know what Jesus was saying either. I'm not following Nicodemus admitted,
(27:17):
are you saying that in order to inherit heaven one
must re enter his mother's womb and be born a
second time. Nicodemus was beginning to fear Jesus actually was
a mad man. Jesus laughed, Aha, no, no, you see,
we are all born in the flesh. Yes, we enter
this world with our bodies from our mother's womb. Nicodemus
(27:37):
nodded in agreement. Jesus continued saying, but you must be
born a second time, not of flesh and through a womb,
but of spirit. Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus
was a teacher himself and very respected among the religious elite.
He was not used to being lost in a discussion
regarding philosophy. Jesus sensed his confusion and lean forward. Do
(28:01):
not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and nobody can
see it except when the leaves rustle. It is the
same with being borne by the spirit. You cannot see
the spirit itself. However, when it compels a person, it
becomes obvious. What Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus happened to
the disciples. They were being born again by God's spirit
(28:21):
and empowered for the mission ahead. Not everyone was in attendance,
though Thomas was out when Jesus visited them, and he
did not take their testimony seriously. His doubt and skepticism
were smoke screens for his insecurity and shame. He didn't
want to accept that Jesus was risen because he would
have to believe in something he had not seen. Jesus
(28:43):
visited Thomas and spoke directly to you and me. Through
their conversation, Jesus said, you are blessed, my dear Thomas,
for you have seen me. You have seen my scars
and heard my voice and bleed. Jesus said, but there
are those who will not get to see me. They
will not touch my scars or see my face, yet
they will believe. More blessed are those who do not
(29:05):
see me yet still believe. Neither you nor I have
seen Jesus. But still we believe. You and I are
considered more blessed than Thomas. There is still one disciple
who has unfinished business with Jesus. Although Peter was able
to witness the risen King for himself, his journey is
far from over. There is unfinished business between Jesus and Peter,
(29:27):
a business that will be settled in our next episode.
Join us next time for episode twenty two Do You
Love Me? Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories,
daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to
pray dot com. And to expand your heroes in the
Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at
Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with
(29:51):
a family member or friend so that they can know
Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how
great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can
have on someone's life. God bless
Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger and
behold my hands. And reach hither thy hand and thrust
it into my side, and be not faithless but believing.
And Thomas answered and said, unto him, my Lord and
my God John twenty twenty seven and twenty eight. Lord,
(00:24):
there are times when I felt like doubting Thomas. I
had a hard time believing you rose from the grave
after you were crucified. That truth takes a great deal
more faith than my finite little brain can comprehend. But
you understood this unbelief and offered your sacred flesh for
him to touch, so he would believe you had a
(00:47):
purpose for his life and wanted to rid him of
any doubts he had. You have a purpose for my
life too, and you want to erase any doubts I
have as well. I want to touch you, Lord, I
don't a waiver in unbelief. I want to serve you
with my whole heart.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told.
From pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Hi, I'm doctor Tony Evans JE hosts for Heroes in
the Bible. Jesus. If you've enjoyed this podcast so far,
please share it with your family and friends so that
they can know Jesus Christ in a personal way, because
knowing Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible. Welcome
to the greatest story ever told. It is a story
of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, a father's love
(01:40):
for his children, and a hero's triumph over death and darkness.
This is a story that continues to shape and mold
the world around us, bringing the divine heart of God
right into the hearts of you and me. This episode
gives the Disciples a brief moment with the resurrected Jesus.
Witnesses to his resurrection had come to them, but they
(02:00):
had yet to truly see him. When they hear his
voice and see his scars, they are convinced that he
has indeed risen again. However, as we have said before,
not everyone's faith journey is the same. Two characters in
particular wrestle with shame and doubt, making it hard for
them to truly embrace the resurrection. The prelude to this
(02:21):
story takes us all the way back to the beginning,
when chaos and darkness loomed over the face of the earth,
and the spirit of God was hovering over the face
of the deep. Creation was ushered in by God's spirit,
and the breath of life was given to men and women.
This story provides us with a new type of creation,
new hearts formed and empowered by God's Spirit. I hope
(02:42):
this episode empowers you today. My prayer for you is
that the dark and fearful parts of your heart would
be filled with God's spirit. I pray for anyone who
finds themselves stuck in their homes, afraid to step out.
I pray that the Holy Spirit gives you boldness, comfort
and clarity, and the same breath that breathed life into
humanity moves in you. Here is Episode twenty one, Breath
(03:06):
of Life.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Prelude, Chapter twenty one. All was dark and the chaotic
waters thrashed around the untamed earth. God's spirit hovered over
the face of the waters, waiting detain them. Voice calling
out from the darkness resounded and shook the infant planet.
(03:35):
Let there be light, the voice proclaimed, and as the
Voice of God traveled through space and time, light broke
forth from the nothingness. The Sun's light pierced the dark
and paved the way for life to be created. God
then wove together the earth and all its glory. The
(03:57):
power of his words spoke. The mountains irrupted forth from
the waters. Plants sprang up from the fertile ground. The
creatures of the sea, birds of the air, and beasts
of the land inhabited the new planet and dwelled in bliss.
Their cries, CAUs and growls were like a symphony of
(04:19):
God's creative power. The earth had been made by the
very word of God. He saw the beauty of his
creation and smiled. It is good, God declared, Yet there
was one thing missing. On the final day, the morning
(04:39):
mist was gliding through the tall trees. The sun shone
brightly through the vegetation, and God's spirit descended Like a dove.
God looked at a small plot of dirt and saw
potential for beauty. Gently, like a potter with clay, God
picked up the dust and began to molded to his image.
(05:02):
Delicately and with great care, God formed a creature unlike
any other, a creature that would be his ambassador on earth,
a creature that would walk with him, know him, and
reflect his goodness from the dust of the earth, God
shaped man in his own image. The newly formed human
(05:27):
lay there, lifeless on the ground, an empty vessel, ready
to be filled with the power and life of God.
Leaning down, the Creator breathed into the man's nostrils. His
very presence, life, and heart was breathed into the man
like a mighty wind. God's spirit was given to him,
(05:49):
and his heart began to beat to the same rhythm
as God's. His spirit was given to men and women
so they may walk in His likeness among the earth.
Every breath they took was a symbol of God's grace.
Without the breath of life, man is nothing but an
(06:10):
empty vessel. Chapter twenty one, Breath of Life. The morning
light had not yet broke forth above the horizon, and
darkness still loomed in the home where the disciples hid.
Ever since Jesus hung on the cross, bloodied and bruised,
(06:32):
they had hid like children. Their protector, provider, and king
was dead, so they remained in their own den of despair,
Unable to console themselves. They hid in fear of what
the Jews would do to them. They had crucified Jesus,
(06:53):
and Jesus had warned them that anything they did to him,
they would do to them as well. There they waited
until the volatility of the priests subsided. There have been
rumors of Jesus's return, yet they had yet to truly
experience it for themselves. Matthew was the first to arise.
(07:16):
He sat over a dimly lit lamp, writing down his
recollections of Jesus. They were fussy and blurred by grief.
He tried to write, but the words seemed uninspired. He
knew the importance of recording the words and works of Jesus,
yet for whatever reason, he could not bring himself to
(07:38):
remember what he needed. He clinched his fist in frustration,
throwing the piece of parchment aside. The other disciples arose
from their beds and walked beside the fireplace. They had
been back in Galilee, in a home by the sea.
The morning breeze slowly made its way through the windows.
(08:01):
Philip tended to the fireplace, boiling water and preparation for
their breakfast. They had not spoken much in the past
three days. There was a collective sadness that bound their lips.
Every time they began to speak, they found themselves lamenting
the loss of their dear friend and Lord. Philip stared
(08:25):
blankly at the fire and turned to Bartholomew. Where are
Peter and Andrew?
Speaker 4 (08:29):
He asked, fishing? Bartholomew answered, Peter is still unconsolable. He
seems to be spending every moment on his boat.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
And what of Thomas, Philip asked, poking the hot coals
below the.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Kettle, tending to his family, I suppose.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Bartholemew said, scratching his head. The coolness of the morning
was replaced by a growing warmth from the Galilean sun.
Thaddeus joined Philip and Bartholomew near the fire. They sat
there and silence for a while, occasionally sharing in a
memory of their time with Jesus. The disciples felt as
(09:06):
though they had failed. For three years, they had followed
Jesus with the expectation of him rising to power. They
had seen so many miracles performed by him that they
truly believed he was the Messiah. However, as the thunder
boomed on that fateful night, all their hopes and dreams
(09:28):
of glory had been shattered. Their confidence and joy was
buried with Jesus in that tomb.
Speaker 5 (09:36):
Who do you think took him Jude asked, was it
the pharisees.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
John shook his head in dismay. Do you think it
is possible? He asked.
Speaker 6 (09:45):
The women said they were told by angels. Do you
think he truly could be risen from the dead.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
As John asked this, there were footsteps approaching the home.
All of the disciples stood to their feet. Simon was
the first to step forward, with his soul Lord held
tightly in his hand. The rest of the men stayed
back As Simon peeped through the crack in the window.
There was a heavy pounding on the door. Simon approached
(10:12):
the door with his sword at the ready. He opened
the door slowly, and bursting through was Peter, fumbling about
with nets and fish in his arms. The rest of
the group sighed in relief. The smell of fish filled
the room as Peter set them on the table.
Speaker 7 (10:28):
I labored all night for less than a dozen fish.
Peter growled. He sat down and rubbed his temples. Peter
had been tormented for days now. Grief and shame had
kept him up. He was a sad sight to behold.
John took the fish, skinned and gutted them, and threw
(10:49):
them into the boiling water. Simon locked the doors again,
standing in attention near the entrance. The kettle simmered, and
the disciples sat in silace for a long while. Peter's
forehead was placed firmly on the table. Then, breaking the silence,
(11:09):
they all heard a familiar voice. Peace be with you,
the voice said.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
The disciples looked up in awe, and the corner of
the room stood Jesus. The men leapt in fear. They
thought they had seen a ghost. Matthew ran to the
corner of the room. Simon drew his sword, and John
fell to his knees. However, Peter stood completely still. He
looked at Jesus with complete dismay. His bottom lip quivered,
(11:41):
and he dipped his head in shame. Jesus's lips hearted
into a familiar smile. He stretched out his arms and said.
Speaker 5 (11:50):
Why are you so troubled? And why do I send
so much doubt in your hearts? Come see where they
pierced my hands and my feet. Know that it is I.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
John approached Jesus slowly. He had watched him die. He
watched Jesus be scourged on the wooden post. He saw
Jesus cry out to God on the cross. His heart
beat faster as he approached his master. Jesus greeted him
and stretched out his arms. John looked down to see
(12:23):
scars where the hands met his wrists. He touched them.
He felt the soft tissue where the scars had formed.
He looked at Jesus's feet, where they had driven nails through.
He looked up into Jesus's eyes. They were the same
eyes of compassion and power he had remembered. Tears began
(12:47):
to stream down John's face. Jesus smiled, and John embraced
him tightly. He sobbed in his arms. Jesus laughed and
gestured for the other disciples to come. They ran to him.
The entire room was filled with unquenchable joy. They laughed, cried,
(13:07):
and shouted with triumph in their voices. Their king was alive.
He had risen, just as he said he would. He
embraced his disciples like dear children. Yet Peter was still
sitting at his place. He was frozen, unable to bring
(13:27):
himself forward, unable to face the man he had denied.
Do you have anything to eat, Jesus asked. Philip went
to the kettle and brought out a few fish, together.
They ate and listened to Jesus. It seemed like a
lifetime ago that they were camping in the wilderness of Galilee,
(13:47):
exchanging stories, laughter and dreams. Jesus was just as they remembered,
only now he had a radiance about him that was indescribable.
He was a new man, and the entropy of life
did not seem to have any effect on him.
Speaker 5 (14:06):
Remember the words I spoke to you while I was with.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
You, Jesus said, as he finished his fish.
Speaker 5 (14:11):
Everything that was written about me in the Law of Moses,
the prophets, and the Psalms has been fulfilled.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Then Jesus arose from the table and brought them in close.
Peter was silent, remaining in the back. Jesus looked at them.
They stood before him like empty vessels, ready to be
filled with the power and life of God. Peace be
with you.
Speaker 5 (14:37):
Now receive the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
As Jesus said this, he leaned in close to them
and breathed the same breath of life that was given
to mankind, And the very beginning was poured out like
a mighty wind. The Creator gave his very presence, life
and heart to them. God's spirit was given to the disciples,
(15:02):
and their hearts began to beat to the same rhythm
as his.
Speaker 5 (15:06):
Behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you.
You will be my ambassadors on the earth, filled with power,
and you will do mighty things in all the nations.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
God's spirit poured out on to them and filled their
lungs with new life. In that moment, everything had changed.
John felt like his heart had been re formed as
God's presence was poured into his very soul. He remembered
the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus three years ago.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Truly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
John now understood what Jesus meant. His heart was beating
to a new rhythm. His eyes were opened to see
a new potential for the world around him. John could
now see what Jesus saw. The Kingdom of God was
at hand and moving all around them. John knew that
(16:07):
he had just been born again. As the Holy Spirit
was given to them, their minds were open to understand
the scriptures. Matthew could now remember every word Jesus had
spoken to him. They could now see how Jesus was
interwoven into every fabric of God's story. They could see
(16:28):
that he was the one who wrestled with Jacob. He
was the voice of the burning bush to Moses. He
was the captain of the lord's armies who visited Joshua.
He was the one who stood in the fire with Shadrac,
Meshach and Abeddigo. He was the hero working for the
redemption of man since the very beginning. Jesus lifted his
(16:51):
eyes to them. He looked at them as a general
wood to an army.
Speaker 5 (16:56):
Christ was always meant to suffer and rise again on
the third. Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed
in my name to all the nations.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
It is you I send. And with those words Jesus vanished.
Peter's eyes widened and he ran to the corner of
the room where Jesus vanished. He hit the wall and
pounded on it with his fist. Tears streamed down his face,
and he fell to his knees in regret. He didn't
even tell Jesus he was sorry, and now he may
(17:31):
never get the chance. The disciples stood there in awe
of what had happened, yet still filled with unanswered questions.
A few moments later, the door opened. The disciples thought
it might be Jesus again, but it was Thomas. He
was back from tending to his family. The disciples were
(17:52):
still in tears. What happened?
Speaker 6 (17:54):
Thomas said, He's returned. James shouted, Jesus has risen from
the dead.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
He was here.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
The disciples all took turns telling Thomas what had happened.
They were frantic, excited, and confused all at once. Thomas
was a skeptical man. He was analytical, asked questions, and
not quick to make judgments. It is part of why
Jesus chose him. Jesus loved his mind that was willing
(18:23):
to think deeply and consider every option. Thomas shook his head,
unable to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Speaker 8 (18:32):
Unless I see him with my own eyes, I refuse
to believe you.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
But we are.
Speaker 2 (18:37):
Telling you the truth, James said, unless.
Speaker 8 (18:40):
I put my fingers through the holes in his wounded hands,
I could not accept that it was Jesus. Perhaps you
saw a vision, ghost, or you are overcome with grief.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
The disciples tried to convince Thomas, but he lifted his
hand and interrupted him.
Speaker 8 (18:56):
Did you hear me, it wasn't Jesus.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
With that, Thomas stormed out and slammed the door behind him.
Thomas's doubt revealed a deep hurt within him. Like Peter,
he felt the pangs of shame. When Jesus was taken
by the guards and the garden of Guessemone, he ran
for his life. He did not fight for Jesus, nor
(19:21):
did he watch his death. Thomas did not want to
believe Jesus had risen because he felt far too much
shame to face him. Eight days had passed and the
disciples had yet to fully understand what they had seen.
Jesus had been gone for so long that even they
were beginning to wonder if they had seen a ghost.
(19:43):
It wasn't a ghost, Philip protested again to Thomas. He
ate a meal with us, and we held him. Thomas
had only grown more bitter as the week rolled on.
Yet in his heart of hearts, he knew the true
reason for his anger was that he had missed what
the others had seen. As Thomas shook his head once
again in doubt, he heard a voice call out to him.
Speaker 5 (20:07):
Peace be with you, Thomas, the voice.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
Said behind him. Thomas froze he knew that voice. It
was the voice that had called him long ago. He
turned around and saw Jesus standing there above him. Lord
Thomas asked, is that you? Jesus knelt down and smiled
(20:29):
at Thomas.
Speaker 5 (20:30):
Go ahead, my child, feel my hands. See how they
were pierced for you.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Jesus held out his arms. Thomas looked down to see
the scars. He was paralyzed with fear. Then he looked
up to see Jesus's eyes. It was not the scars
that convinced him, but Jesus's familiar gaze. Behind his kind
eyes held the secrets of eternal life. Thomas looked down
(20:59):
and ran his feces across the lord's scarred hands. Thomas
was shaking as he touched him. His eyes began to water,
and his heart welled up with uncontrollable joy. My Lord,
Thomas wept, My God, he cried out loudly. Thomas threw
his arms around Jesus like a lost child, returning to
(21:21):
his father's arms. Jesus held him, allowing his comfort to
wash over him.
Speaker 5 (21:28):
You are blessed, my dear Thomas, for you have seen me.
You have seen my scars and heard my voice.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
And believed, Jesus said, Yet.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
There are those who will not get to see me.
They will not touch my scars or see my face,
yet they will believe. More blessed are those who do
not see me yet still believe.
Speaker 2 (21:48):
After this, Jesus vanished again. Thomas wiped his eyes and
was renewed with purpose. He lifted his gaze to heaven
and received God's spirit. There was no turning back. All
doubt that it clouded Thomas's mind had vanished like a vapor.
Jesus was alive, and Thomas would never be the same again.
Speaker 3 (22:17):
Let me begin with the question do you feel trapped
trapped by fear, indecision, or doubt? Do you feel confined
to your own negative emotions and mental reeling with no
conceivable way out. If you answer yes to any of
these questions, you probably have a sense of how the
disciples were feeling after Jesus died. Sometimes scripture gives us
(22:37):
small details as big metaphors. The locked door of the
house was a small detail that should not be missed.
The disciples locked themselves in, afraid of the outside world.
They were without power, carriage, inspiration, or wisdom For the
next step. Peter had taken up his old trade to
distract himself, while the others remained aimless inside their home.
(22:59):
The image of the bleak and it is supposed to
be held in stark contrast to the disciples we read
about in the Book of Acts. The Disciples in the
Book of Acts were courageous, unashamed, wise, beyond their education,
and powerful. What had to change in order for them
to go from fearful to courageous? What shift needed to
occur for them to go from weak to strong, ignorant
(23:22):
to wise and aimless to passionate? The answer? The Holy Spirit,
The resurrected Jesus appeared to them in splendor and mystery.
His first words were peace be with you. The Disciples
were hiding from the Jews and the Romans, so nowhere
outside their homes seemed safe. It stands to reason they
would be a bit jumpy, so Jesus declared peace right
(23:44):
off the bat. However, his greeting meant more than just
don't worry. After their desertion of Jesus on the day
of his crucifixion, the disciples probably expected him to be angry.
They may have expected rebuke, reprimand, and a demand for repentance. Instead,
Jesus brought a word of peace, beautiful and unifying peace.
(24:05):
Charles Spurgeon had a beautiful quote regarding this passage. He said,
a master came to his cowardly, faithless disciples and stood
in the midst of them, uttering the cheering salutation peace
be under you, my soul. Why should he not come
to thee, though thou be the most unworthy of all
whom he has brought with his blood. I love how
(24:27):
Jesus brought with him peace instead of more anxiety and fear.
Nor did he rebuke them and add to their shame.
The men are naturally in complete dismay. Jesus beckons them
to come closer and touch his scars. He wants them
to know that it is him and also understand what
he has just endured. It is that if Jesus was saying,
(24:49):
look at my scars, I have fought against death and won.
Now you can go and do the same. When we
behold the resurrection and live the life that Jesus has
called us to. Sin and track do not become any
less painful. They still leave a scar, but they do
cease to be paralyzing. They cease to keep us down
and locked in our homes. Whatever shame you've carried, these
(25:11):
scars may remain, but they don't have to keep you
locked in a room anymore. Jesus has triumphed over that
which keeps you locked away from the world. Jesus gathered
his disciples for a specific purpose, to breathe on them.
As odd as this image might sound to you to
a reader familiar with Genesis, Ezkuel, and Daniel, it has
(25:32):
profound implications. This is where the prelude provides us with
context for the episode. When God desired to give life
to mankind, he breathed his spirit into them. The word
for the spirit of the Old Testament was rua or ruaik,
which is the same word for breath, spirit, and wind.
The very life force of God rushed into the nostrils
(25:53):
of humanity and gave them life. The prophet Ezekiel was
given a picture of a valley of dry bones that
form into a vast, lifeless army. When the wind of
God blew through from all angles, life was given to
the lifeless beings, and they became an army of righteousness.
John used the same language as Genesis and Ezechiel. Jesus
(26:13):
breathed into his disciples in the same way he breathed
life into Adam and Eve and the Valley of dry bones.
The disciples were once dead, but now they are alive.
Paul said in Roman six. The spirit of God who
raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just
as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will
give life to your mortal bodies by this same spirit
(26:35):
living within you. That is how the disciples went from
weak to strong, ignorant to wise, and aimless to passionate.
The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and
gave life to humanity breathed new life into the disciples.
This same spirit is offered to anyone who calls upon
the name of Jesus. This episode referred back to episode
(26:55):
five when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus. Do you remember
Jesus talking about being born again by the spirit. Unless
one is born again, he will be unable to truly
see the Kingdom of God, Jesus said. Nicodemus was puzzled.
He looked around at the disciples. They shrugged. They didn't
know what Jesus was saying either. I'm not following Nicodemus admitted,
(27:17):
are you saying that in order to inherit heaven one
must re enter his mother's womb and be born a
second time. Nicodemus was beginning to fear Jesus actually was
a mad man. Jesus laughed, Aha, no, no, you see,
we are all born in the flesh. Yes, we enter
this world with our bodies from our mother's womb. Nicodemus
(27:37):
nodded in agreement. Jesus continued saying, but you must be
born a second time, not of flesh and through a womb,
but of spirit. Nicodemus was still having difficulty understanding. Nicodemus
was a teacher himself and very respected among the religious elite.
He was not used to being lost in a discussion
regarding philosophy. Jesus sensed his confusion and lean forward. Do
(28:01):
not be perplexed, Nicodemus. The wind blows and nobody can
see it except when the leaves rustle. It is the
same with being borne by the spirit. You cannot see
the spirit itself. However, when it compels a person, it
becomes obvious. What Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus happened to
the disciples. They were being born again by God's spirit
(28:21):
and empowered for the mission ahead. Not everyone was in attendance,
though Thomas was out when Jesus visited them, and he
did not take their testimony seriously. His doubt and skepticism
were smoke screens for his insecurity and shame. He didn't
want to accept that Jesus was risen because he would
have to believe in something he had not seen. Jesus
(28:43):
visited Thomas and spoke directly to you and me. Through
their conversation, Jesus said, you are blessed, my dear Thomas,
for you have seen me. You have seen my scars
and heard my voice and bleed. Jesus said, but there
are those who will not get to see me. They
will not touch my scars or see my face, yet
they will believe. More blessed are those who do not
(29:05):
see me yet still believe. Neither you nor I have
seen Jesus. But still we believe. You and I are
considered more blessed than Thomas. There is still one disciple
who has unfinished business with Jesus. Although Peter was able
to witness the risen King for himself, his journey is
far from over. There is unfinished business between Jesus and Peter,
(29:27):
a business that will be settled in our next episode.
Join us next time for episode twenty two Do You
Love Me? Thanks again for listening. For more inspiring stories,
daily prayers and wisdom to last a lifetime, go to
pray dot com. And to expand your heroes in the
Bible journey, download the Heroes of the Faith devotional at
Tonyevans dot org. Forward slash Heroes. Share this podcast with
(29:51):
a family member or friend so that they can know
Jesus Christ in a personal way. You never know how
great of an impact the Bible and this podcast can
have on someone's life. God bless
Host
Dr. Tony Evans
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