Breathe on me breath of God is a hymn written by Edward Hatch in 1886. It came to me seemingly out of nowhere as I prayed. When I looked it up, it fit perfectly with what I just read in John 20 only moments before.
“Jesus repeated his greeting, “Peace to you!” And he told them, “Just as the Father has sent me, I’m now sending you. ”Then, taking a deep breath, he blew on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. I send you to preach the forgiveness of sins—and people’s sins will be forgiven. But if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.” John 20: 21-23 TPT [emphasis mine]
I love how the Holy Spirit operates, because I have loved this passage for years. Especially when it says: “he blew on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”” I need that refill of the breath of God daily. It is noteworthy that in Hebrew and in Greek, the words for breath often refer to the Holy Spirit. I can see Jesus taking a deep breath, then blowing a portion of Himself into each of us.
On this days reading a different portion was quickened to me: “if you don’t proclaim the forgiveness of their sins, they will remain guilty.” This translation points out in the notes that only Jesus has the authority to forgive sins. We know that, but most other translations of this passage are not as clear. Jesus’ plan for the lost is for us to go.
In this commission I find a fresh weight on the proclamation. If we don’t go out, and speak, how many people will miss the opportunity to know Jesus sooner than later, or miss it all together? (Romans 10:13-15 ) Trust me, I am speaking to myself as well.
We are not the ones responsible to win them to Christ. The Holy Spirit does that. Our call is to proclaim forgiveness and the Holy Spirit does the rest. My favorite definition of proclamation/evangelism is: To share Christ in the power of the Holy spirit and leave the results to God. Just show up and lovingly listen and proclaim. There are many ways to communicate, but the source of power is the Holy Spirit in us.
This is where the hymn comes in. It is all about the breath of God on us, in us and flowing through us. Read it through slowly, preferably out loud as a prayer and declaration. Sing if you know it. Let it sink in. Reflect on the emphasis in each stanza. What speaks to you?
Breathe on me, Breath of God,*
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life
Of Thine eternity.
Yes, being filled with the Holy Spirit can be simple. “But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. Then we ask for a fresh infilling . . .and Abba is delighted to breathe on, and in us, empowering us with His love.
What spoke to you the most from the hymn or the blog? Let me know and I will tell you what was loudest for me in the hymn.
