When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.” vss. 1-2
Acts 2:1-13
It’s not surprising that John and Luke would describe the coming of the Holy Spirit in different ways. If accounts of such a mysterious and wondrous event written down decades apart were identical, we’d likely be suspicious. As it is we can be grateful for the differences and appreciate the similarities. John reports that the Spirit came directly from Jesus just after the resurrection, while Luke says that the outpouring occurred after the Ascension. Both report that it took place in Jerusalem. Luke says that the Spirit’s coming was like the rush of a violent wind, a phrase that reminds us of Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” And that’s exactly what happened in Jerusalem! The gospel of Jesus Christ was unleashed with the power of a tornado and the velocity of a hurricane. The Spirit was breathed on humanity and continues to blow where it wills. We’ll be celebrating Pentecost in our congregations on Sunday. Some say that this explosion of energy and love is the birthday of the Church, and there’s little reason to disagree. Maybe we’ll even sing Happy Birthday!
Thought for the Day: What’s the best way to celebrate Pentecost?
0 Comments