In a world often gripped by fear and uncertainty, there’s a profound message of hope. It is a message of courage that resonates through the ages. It’s a message about new life. It highlights transformative power. It speaks of a spirit that emboldens even the most timid hearts. This message is rooted in the Easter story. It is more than just a historical event. It is an invitation to a new way of living.
Imagine, for a moment, the disciples of Jesus on that first Easter evening. Locked behind closed doors, paralyzed with fear, they huddled together, uncertain of their future. Fast forward a short time later. We see these same men standing boldly in the temple courts. They proclaim the risen Jesus even in the face of death and arrest. What brought about this dramatic change?
The answer is both simple and profound: Jesus lives. Because He lives, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within them. The Spirit empowers them and breathes courage into their very bones. Today, we get the same invitation to a courageous life. The same Spirit that transformed the disciples also lives in the hearts of all who believe.
In the book of Acts, we see this transformation play out dramatically. The high priest and his associates were consumed by jealousy and fear. They arrested the apostles and threw them in prison. They commanded them never to speak in the name of Jesus again. But the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, boldly responded, “We must obey God rather than men.”
This account serves as both an inspiration and a mirror. How often have we, like the apostles, been called to stand firm in our faith? And how often have we, unlike them, chosen to stay silent when speaking out would be costly? Fear still chains our hearts, imprisoning us behind locked doors of self-preservation, pride, and comfort. But this fear is not merely weakness. It represents a lack of trust in the living Christ. It also reveals a lack of trust in the power of His Spirit within us.
Yet, the beautiful message of the Gospel is that locked doors could not keep Jesus out, chains cannot bind our Lord, and fear cannot defeat His love. In John’s Gospel, we see Jesus appear to His frightened disciples, offering not condemnation but peace. “Peace be with you,” He says, showing them His hands and side – the marks of their redemption. Then, in a powerful act of recreation, He breathes on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
This is the turning point. Christ breathes His Spirit into them, recreating them to be bold witnesses. He sends them out, not in their own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. This outpouring becomes fully visible at Pentecost, where we see bold preaching, miraculous healings, and fearless proclamation of the Gospel.
The same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles lives in every believer today. We are baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection, anointed with the Spirit of the living God, and empowered to live courageously – not because we are strong, but because Jesus lives and His Spirit lives in us.
What does this mean for us in our daily lives? It means that Easter is not just an event on the calendar, but a way of life – a Spirit-filled, courageous life. In a world locked down by fear, Jesus sends us to proclaim His peace. In a world chained by sin, He calls us to proclaim His forgiveness. In a culture of death, He sends us to bear witness to life through faith in Christ alone.
Yes, we will face resistance. People may push back, mock us, misunderstand us, or even reject us. We may suffer as a result of our faith. But we are not alone. Jesus lives, and His Holy Spirit lives in us, breathing joy and courage into our hearts again and again through His word and sacrament. When we fall, Jesus lifts us up. When we falter, He forgives us. When we are afraid, He speaks peace to our hearts.
The life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Lutheran pastor during World War II, exemplifies this courageous living. Despite grave danger to his own life, Bonhoeffer remained steadfast in his faith. He held strong to his convictions. He actively resisted the oppressive Nazi regime. Even when facing execution, his last words showed his unwavering hope in Christ. He said, “This is the end, but for me, it is the beginning.” Bonhoeffer’s life shows that faith in the risen Christ can empower believers. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables them to face fear and adversity with boldness.
We too are called to live courageously, not through our own strength, but through the power of God working in us. This might mean being a witness to a neighbor, a coworker, a friend, or a relative. It might mean standing firm in our convictions when it would be easier to compromise. It might mean offering forgiveness when holding onto bitterness seems more satisfying.
Remember the words spoken to John in the book of Revelation: “Do not be afraid.” Jesus speaks these same words to us today. We can live courageously, not because we are strong, but because Jesus is. Not because we are brave, but because His Spirit makes us bold. Not because we have overcome, but because He has overcome for us.
In baptism, we are united with Jesus in His death and resurrection. We are clothed with His righteousness and filled with His Spirit. This means we are never alone in this world. From our first breath of faith, we can go out and live courageously. We know that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work within us.
So let us embrace this courageous life. As the Holy Spirit breathes new life into us, we are filled anew with the love of God. This gives us the boldness to proclaim His truth. We approach each day with confident boldness, knowing that our Lord is with us. In a world desperate for hope, let us be bearers of the good news that Jesus lives. Because He lives, we too can live, not in fear, but in the power and courage of His Spirit.
May we go forth, empowered by the risen Christ, to live courageously in His name.
Rev. HOG 
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