Breath of Life: From Resurrection to Pentecost
Summary
50 days. From the resurrection to Pentecost, these 50 days are a window into the heart of our faith and the power that animates our lives. The story begins with the breath of God—first breathed into Adam, then breathed out by Jesus on the cross, and finally breathed back into him in the tomb. The resurrection is not just a moment in history, but a living reality that continues to shape us. The cross, once a symbol of shame, is now a banner of victory, and the wind that blew through the garden on Easter morning is the same Spirit that fills us today.
The journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday is marked by silence, grief, and shattered hope. Holy Saturday is a day of waiting, when it seems that death has the final word. But God is not done breathing. In the darkness before dawn, the breath of life returns, and Jesus stands alive, calling Mary by name. This breath is not just for Jesus, but for all of us. It is the animating force that brings life to what was dead, hope to what was lost, and courage to what was fearful.
The appearances of Jesus after the resurrection follow a pattern: gradual recognition, personal encounter, missional sending, and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Often, Jesus is not recognized at first—he is mistaken for a gardener, a stranger, a mysterious figure on the shore. But in the breaking of bread, the speaking of a name, or the invitation to touch his wounds, recognition dawns. Each encounter leads to a sending—“Go and tell,” “Go and make disciples”—and each is sealed with the promise that the Spirit will come.
Pentecost is the culmination of these 50 days. The Spirit comes like a rushing wind, filling the disciples with power and sending them into the world. This is not something that can be explained by science or understood by reason alone. It is a mystery, but it is real. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the Spirit that gives us life, breath, and power today. We do not have to understand it all; we simply have to breathe and receive the gift of God’s Spirit, trusting that something happened in those 50 days that changed everything—and can change us, too.
Key Takeaways
- The breath of God is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual. From the creation of Adam to the resurrection of Jesus, God’s breath animates what is dead and brings it to life. We are invited to recognize that every breath we take is a gift, a reminder that our lives are sustained by the Spirit of God, not by our own strength. [04:06]
- The journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday teaches us to sit with loss and uncertainty, trusting that God is still at work even in the silence. Holy Saturday is a space where hope seems lost, but it is precisely in these moments of waiting that God prepares to breathe new life. Our faith is not in the absence of pain, but in the promise that God’s breath will come again. [05:29]
- Encounters with the risen Christ often begin with gradual recognition. Like Mary at the tomb or the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we may not always recognize God’s presence at first. But as we remain open, God meets us personally—calling us by name, breaking bread with us, inviting us to touch and see—and in these moments, faith becomes real and alive. [11:14]
- The resurrection leads to a missional calling. Every encounter with the living Christ is followed by a sending: “Go and tell,” “Go and make disciples.” The Spirit empowers us not just for personal comfort, but for courageous witness in the world, even when we feel afraid or inadequate. Our mission flows from the life we have received. [12:19]
- The power of Pentecost is not something we have to fully understand to experience. The Spirit comes as wind and breath, transforming fear into boldness and despair into hope. We are invited to simply breathe, to receive what God gives, and to trust that the same Spirit who changed the world in those 50 days is still at work in us today. [17:51]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - The Resurrection Window: Imagery and Meaning
[02:00] - Spirit, Wind, and Breath in Scripture
[04:06] - The Breath of Life: Creation and Crucifixion
[05:29] - Holy Saturday: Waiting in the Dark
[07:12] - Mary Magdalene at the Tomb
[08:28] - Encounters with the Risen Jesus
[10:01] - The Pattern of Resurrection Appearances
[11:14] - Gradual Recognition and Personal Encounter
[12:19] - Missional Sending and the Promise of the Spirit
[13:11] - Breathing as a Sign of Life
[14:01] - The Spirit’s Power and the Day of Pentecost
[15:53] - Transformation of the Disciples
[17:00] - The Spirit for Our Dead Places
[17:51] - Receiving the Breath of God
[18:48] - Claiming Resurrection Power
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: 50 Days—From Resurrection to Pentecost
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### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 2:7
"Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
2. John 20:19-22
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 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.'"
3. Acts 2:1-4
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 2:7, what is the significance of God breathing into Adam, and how does this connect to the idea of life in the sermon? [02:00]
2. According to John 20:19-22, what did Jesus do when he appeared to the disciples after the resurrection, and what did he say to them? [12:19]
3. In Acts 2:1-4, what were the signs that the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples at Pentecost? [14:01]
4. The sermon describes a pattern in Jesus’ resurrection appearances: gradual recognition, personal encounter, missional sending, and the promise of the Spirit. Can you find examples of this pattern in the Bible passages or the sermon? [11:14]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that the breath of God is the source of all life, both physical and spiritual. What does it mean for us to see every breath as a gift from God, not just a physical act? [04:06]
2. Holy Saturday is described as a day of silence, grief, and waiting. Why do you think God allows times of waiting and uncertainty in our lives, and how might these times prepare us for new life? [05:29]
3. The disciples often did not recognize Jesus at first after the resurrection. What might this teach us about how God’s presence can be hidden or surprising in our own lives? [11:14]
4. The Spirit’s coming at Pentecost is described as a mystery that cannot be fully explained. Why do you think God works in ways that are sometimes beyond our understanding? How does this affect our faith? [15:53]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon invites us to recognize that every breath is a gift from God. This week, how can you practice being more aware of God’s presence in your everyday moments—maybe even as you breathe? Is there a specific time of day you could pause and thank God for the breath in your lungs? [17:51]
2. Think about a time in your life that felt like “Holy Saturday”—a season of waiting, loss, or uncertainty. How did you respond? Looking back, can you see ways that God was still at work, even when you couldn’t see it? [05:29]
3. The sermon talks about gradual recognition of Jesus—sometimes we don’t notice God’s presence right away. Is there a situation in your life right now where you might be missing God’s presence or voice? What would it look like to slow down and listen or look again? [11:14]
4. After encountering the risen Jesus, people were sent out with a mission. Is there someone in your life you feel God might be sending you to encourage, serve, or share your faith with? What is one step you could take this week to reach out to them? [12:19]
5. The disciples were filled with the Spirit and given courage at Pentecost. Is there an area of your life where you feel fearful or inadequate? How might you invite the Holy Spirit to give you boldness or hope in that area? [17:00]
6. The sermon says we don’t have to understand everything about how God works—we just have to breathe and receive. Are there questions or doubts that have held you back from trusting God? What would it look like to let go of needing all the answers and simply receive what God wants to give you? [15:53]
7. The cross was once a symbol of shame, but now it’s a banner of victory. Is there something in your life that once felt like defeat or shame, but God has used it for good? How can you share that story to encourage someone else? [01:03]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Breath of God Brings Life
From the very beginning, the breath of God is what animates and gives life to all creation. Just as God breathed into Adam and he became a living being, so too does God’s Spirit breathe life into us, making us truly alive. This divine breath is not just a metaphor but the very force that sustains us, reminding us that every breath we take is a gift from God. In moments of despair or lifelessness, it is God’s Spirit that revives and restores, offering hope and new beginnings. [04:06]
Genesis 2:7 (ESV)
"Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature."
Reflection: Where in your life do you sense a need for God’s breath to bring new life or hope today? Pause and invite the Spirit to fill that place as you breathe deeply.
Day 2: Jesus’ Resurrection as the Triumph of Life Over Death
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but the moment when death was defeated and hope was restored. The empty tomb, the grave clothes left behind, and the risen Christ all point to a new reality where the power of death is broken. This victory is not only for Jesus but for all who believe, assuring us that God’s life-giving power can overcome even the darkest moments. The resurrection invites us to witness and participate in this new life, trusting that God is always at work, even when all seems lost. [07:12]
John 20:1-9 (ESV)
"Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.' So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel defeated or hopeless? How might the reality of Jesus’ resurrection invite you to trust in God’s power to bring victory and new beginnings?
Day 3: The Pattern of Encounter: Recognition, Relationship, and Mission
After the resurrection, Jesus’ appearances follow a pattern: gradual recognition, a personal encounter, and then a sending out with purpose. Whether it was Mary in the garden, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, or Thomas needing to touch Jesus’ wounds, each story shows that faith often begins with confusion or doubt, moves to a personal experience of Christ, and then leads to a call to share the good news. This pattern is still true for us today—God meets us where we are, reveals Himself personally, and then sends us into the world with a mission. [12:19]
John 20:19-22 (ESV)
"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: Where are you in this pattern today—seeking recognition, needing a personal encounter, or being called to go? What is one step you can take to move forward in your journey with Jesus?
Day 4: The Transforming Power of the Holy Spirit
Fifty days after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit came like a rushing wind at Pentecost, transforming fearful disciples into bold witnesses. The Spirit is the animating force that empowers, equips, and sends us out, even when we do not fully understand how it works. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, offering courage, strength, and the ability to live out our calling. We are invited to open ourselves to this power, trusting that God’s Spirit can bring transformation in us and through us. [15:53]
Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Reflection: What fear or limitation is holding you back from living boldly for Christ? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with fresh courage and power today.
Day 5: Claiming the Power of Christ in Daily Life
We do not have to understand all the mysteries of faith to experience the power of Christ in our lives. The breath we breathe, the life we live, and the Spirit within us are all gifts from God, inviting us to stand in the power of the risen Christ. Each day, we are called to claim this power—not by our own strength, but by trusting in the One who gives us life and breath. As we lean into faith, we discover that God’s power is more than enough for whatever we face. [18:48]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stand in the power of Christ today? How can you intentionally rely on His strength rather than your own?
Quotes
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