From Chasing Wind to Ripples of Faith: The Power of Obedience in God’s Purpose
John 20:19-23
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. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
In the quiet of that first Easter evening, fear gripped the disciples. Huddled behind locked doors, they hid from the threats of the world outside. Their hearts were heavy with grief, confusion, and uncertainty. Jesus, their only hope, had been crucified, and though rumors of His resurrection stirred up new hope, fear and doubts still held them captive.
In this moment of vulnerability, Jesus Himself, like a breath of air, breaks through, not hindered by locked doors or their fearful hearts. And His first words to them were a gift: "Peace be with you."
Jesus showed them His hands and side, the scars of His sacrifice, proving that He was not a ghost or a dream but the risen Lord who had overcome death. And then he commissioned them into the ministry of the gospel.
"As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
Just as the Father sent Jesus to reveal God’s truth, love and redemption, the disciples were now sent to carry that same message to the world. In order to equip them for this task he breathed on them and said,
"Receive the Holy Spirit."
This act recalls the breath of life God gave to Adam in Genesis, signaling a new creation. This power, this Holy Spirit power has the ability to recreate anyone, even the most wicked person can be restored to a new relationship with God. Through the work of the Spirit, God no longer has anything against their account. The Holy Spirit, imparted by Christ, is the divine breath that recreates and renews, bringing life where there was death, hope where there was despair, and reconciliation where there was separation. And He is not limited by human failure or wickedness. The most hardened heart, the most wayward soul, or the most guilt-ridden life can be transformed by the Spirit’s work.
As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares,
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
The Spirit wipes the slate clean, and God holds nothing against those who turn to Him in faith. Their sins are forgiven, because of Christ’s sacrifice and the Spirit’s renewing power.
Did you ask Jesus to come into your heart?
Did you ask him to forgive your sins?
Don't you think you should thank Him?
Your confession of faith has made you well through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and by the power of The Holy Spirit you are a new creation. Now live like it. Live in faith and live in gratitude.
Salvation is not a passive experience but an active, personal encounter with Jesus. Confessing our sins, inviting Christ into our lives, and receiving His forgiveness are defining moments that mark us as new creations. And with this transformation comes a natural overflow of gratitude. And that gratitude should produce fruit for the glory of the kingdom of God.
In John 15:8, Jesus says,
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
This fruit; acts of love, kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and bold witness, reflects the character of Christ and advances God’s kingdom. Our transformed lives become a testimony to His grace, drawing others to the same Savior who made us new.
The kingdom of God often starts small; through a single act of faith, a quiet prayer, or a simple act of obedience. The disciples, initially fearful behind locked doors, became world-changers through the Spirit’s empowerment. This isn't a consumerism faith, a shallow, self-serving belief that takes without giving. God's word is not sent to return to Him void, it and you are sent to produce growth for His sake.
Isaiah 55:11,
"My word shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish what I purpose."
The Word and us, as His sent ones (John 20:21), are commissioned to produce growth for His glory. The Spirit’s breath in John 20:22 didn’t just comfort the disciples; it propelled them into action. There is a purpose to this life on earth, and there is a purpose in faith. The apostle John's closing words in chapter 20 explains this,
John 20:30-31
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Wouldn't you love to know what other things Jesus did in their presence? Maybe he was gliding around the room and passing through walls and furniture like a ghost? Maybe they saw him in all his glory? Maybe he explained all the mysteries of the universe? No one knows because John said believing that Jesus is the Son of God was what's important for us to know. Faith is what's important, not understanding all the nuances and science behind how Jesus does what Jesus does.
This Spirit led commissioning is rooted in purpose. Life on earth and faith itself are not aimless; they are designed to fulfill God’s redemptive plan. John’s Gospel was written with intention; to lead people to believe in Jesus as the Messiah and to find eternal life through Him. The Spirit’s empowerment in John 20:22 equips us to live out this purpose.
No Act Of Faith Is Too Small
Every small act of obedience carries the weight of divine purpose, because God’s Word and His people are sent to accomplish His will. Faith is not an aimless gift but a divine equipping to fulfill God’s redemptive plan. No act of faith is insignificant when it’s done in obedience to the One who sends us.
How does that make you feel to know that your faith has less to do with personal outcomes and more to do with enhancing the kingdom of God for God's desired outcomes?
I think it’s liberating to realize that my small acts of obedience; prayers, kindness, or teaching and sharing the gospel, are not measured by immediate results or personal gain but by their alignment with God’s redemptive plan. It's not measured by clicks or impressions, historical crowdsourcing efforts, or even professions of faith, it's measured by God's will and purpose. It's what He does with it that matters.
This perspective frees us from the pressure of performance-driven faith. The disciples, once fearful behind locked doors, didn’t measure their mission by crowd size or instant success but by obedience to Jesus’ call. Similarly, our acts of faith, however small, carry eternal weight because they’re entrusted to God’s sovereign hands. Like the ripples left by a small pebble dropped into a still pond. Our small acts of faith, like that pebble, may seem insignificant, but in God’s sovereign hands, they create far-reaching ripples that advance His kingdom. Just as a pebble’s ripples spread beyond what the eye can see, our faithful actions, entrusted to God’s sovereign care, ripple through lives, communities, and generations, accomplishing His purpose to draw people to eternal life.
Chasing worldly metrics is like chasing the wind. Begin instead with a single act of faith, and let the universe guide its effect. Chasing worldly metrics traps us in a performance-driven faith (works), but beginning with a single act of faith; prayer, kindness, or teaching and sharing the gospel, frees us to trust God’s guidance. The disciples, once fearful, stepped out in obedience, and their small acts of faith rippled across the world. Similarly, our faith, rooted in God’s purpose, produces fruit for His kingdom when we release our outcomes and expectations to Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for freeing us from the futility of chasing worldly metrics. Help us to begin with a single act of faith today, trusting Your Spirit to guide its reach. We release all outcomes and expectations to You, believing that our obedience will ripple through Your kingdom for Your glory. Empower us to live for Your purpose, leading others to believe in Jesus, in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.