Pentecost.
The name bears in part the reference to the 50 days after Easter. At one time, a Hebrew celebration marking God’s
gift of the Torah; but the roots of the celebrating also go back to a harvest
festival and a time when Israel lived in temporary housing. It was a “pilgrim festival,” meaning it was a
time when Jews traveled especially to visit Jerusalem, which partly explains
why so many different people with a host of different languages suddenly appear
in the story in which some fellows from Galilee speak to them in languages in
which the speakers were unfamiliar. …A
day when the world was changed forever in the appearance of the Holy Spirit
among believers.
We remember this day mostly because of what
happened to the disciples in Jerusalem—when the Spirit appears to have set heads
aflame and ears a-burning. We remember
the strangers who heard in their own native languages the testimony of the
Galileans, even though the Galileans knew not their languages or where they
were from. We remember words about Jesus
and words about repentance and the promise of salvation …if we also call on the
name of the Lord.
…as if Pentecost were a thing of the past.
“The Pentecost moment,” however, isn’t about
the past; or at least, it shouldn’t be. What
happened to the disciples in Jerusalem witnessing to Jews from Jerusalem and
from places across the globe—is but “A Pentecost
moment.” Pentecost …as Luke’s story in
the Book of Acts describes …isn’t limited to the disciples!
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …as the Spirit gave them ability.”
We’re simply so used to these words being
descriptive of what happened to the disciples, that we fail to see that “all
means ALL, Y’all!” The disciples—AND “the
devout Jews from every nation under heaven.”
The disciples who had been waiting in Jerusalem …AND the faithful who
had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival. And while we can certainly point to the
events and what happens to the disciples …it would be short-sighted to think
that Pentecost were only about them. Truly.
Pentecost …is about us, too. Pentecost is about believers …wherever we
find ourselves. Pentecost …is about the gift
of the Holy Spirit—TO US!
If you’re like me, it’s a “tingle” on the back
of your head and neck. It’s NOT just
about speaking in tongues, or different languages. In fact for me, it’s never been about
that. But I have a feeling when I know
that God is near; and usually it comes with an awareness of some kind of
ability—of some form or fashion—to make a difference.
Pentecost is about making a difference. It’s about the gifts of God and the Holy
Spirit filling ALL God’s people; and it’s about ALL God’s people doing
something to make a difference. In the story
of Acts 2, it’s the Holy Spirit and the gift of languages and the disciples telling
their stories.
…And for us?
…Are we not also filled with the Holy Spirit—or if not, is not the Holy
Spirit (the Advocate Jesus calls it) with us?
…And what stories are WE telling?
Start with those moments where YOU feel the
Holy Spirit. Those are Pentecost moments! What is God doing? What is God giving? What is God saying—to you; but also, those
around you? What’s the difference YOU get to be about?
Pentecost moments are all around us. You’re having them; I’m having them; WE’RE having them. It’s not just a matter of figuring out what happened to the disciples, but we’re supposed to be trying to discern what’s happening with us. Resurrection wasn’t the end—it was a new beginning. Pentecost wasn’t a one-time moment—it’s a way of living …with the Holy Spirit …as a part of our lives …and telling the stories of us.
What stories are you
telling?
What stories are you
telling?
