Why Pentecost
Summer sisters and Pentecost
When I was a kid, our family hosted Fresh Air children from New York city every summer for years on end. At the end of their two (or sometimes four) weeks in the country, it was time to go home. Not only were our “summer sisters” sad, we were sad, too.
Mama used to tell them, “If you don’t go back home (to the city), then you can’t come back here next summer.” For some reason, that seemed to brighten their faces. I couldn’t figure out why the kiddos didn’t realize that this meant they still had to leave. Had they just stayed the entire year, there would be no coming back to visit because they would already be here.
In reality, they belonged to their family in the city, and we lived in the country. Yet each year, the anticipation of their return was such a highlight.
Jesus and Pentecost
When Jesus walked on earth and spent time with His disciples, He tried to prepare them for His departure. With that departure, there were two promises: the Holy Spirit would come; He would return.
Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that if He didn’t leave, the Holy Spirit could not come. Part of the work of the Godhead would be His presence with us at all times. We don’t need to make a phone call, set up a meeting, or travel to be with Jesus. He is with us now because He is Omnipresent – everywhere present. Pentecost marked the fulfillment of His promise to His disciples.
Pentecost
Pentecost occurred fifty days after Easter and ten days after Jesus’ ascension. For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples before His ascension. I think God likes the number 40. Pentecost Sunday is the day we commemorate and celebrate the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church
The disciples were gathered together, waiting as commanded for the Holy Spirit. I can’t imagine their thoughts, because they knew He would come. They didn’t know what this event would be like or what they’d experience.
While they were meeting of “one accord”, the sound of a rushing, mighty wind filled the room. I imagine it was like the sound of a storm brewing when suddenly, we see, feel, and hear its arrival. In addition, there appeared divided tongues of fire on each of their heads. This fire did not burn or consume, but it burned without stopping. What amazed everyone was that folks were there from every nation, and they heard the disciples speaking in their own language. No one but God can orchestrate that.
Some folks thought the men were mad; others thought they were drunk. Either way, they did not understand what was happening.
Yet, the disciples were waiting for the Holy Spirit. He might not have come the way they anticipated, but they were ready and knew this was real.
Peter, ever the one to speak boldly and quickly, stood up and explained exactly what was happening. He used Old Testament prophecies to prove that what was happening was valid. He preached a salvation message, and thousands were saved.
This event was the beginning of the early church. What Jesus said was true: if He did not leave, the Spirit would not come. Jesus returned to Heaven because His mission on earth was done, and so the Holy Spirit could come. Jesus said the Spirit would convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. The Holy Spirit is still among us. He still moves, convicting, comforting, and giving courage.
What to do with the Holy Spirit
As believers, we recognize that nudge. We choose whether we listen or avoid. It is ours to decide what we do when the Spirit convicts us of sin or admonishes us about a wrong attitude. We also decide how we respond when we are urged to take a different road than we intended. When we walk with God, we know His voice. How we respond is our choice.
Just as the disciples waited, we wait, too, for direction from God through the Holy Spirit. The more in tune we are with Him, the quicker we recognize His voice – and the easier we find it to obey. When we empty ourselves of the unnecessary, we make room for the Holy Spirit.
Photo credit: Gerd Altmann via Pixabay.com
