Wind, Fire, and the Spirit
The celebration of Pentecost is a unique occasion in the Christian Church. It commemorates a specific day, but, unlike Christmas and Easter, it doesn’t revolve around Jesus or the events of his life. Rather, the events described in the second chapter of the Book of Acts are unusual and exciting. The festival of Pentecost occurred fifty days after Passover, and huge numbers of Jews were gathered in Jerusalem, including Jesus’ disciples. Suddenly the sound of a rushing wind filled the room, and what appeared to be tongues of fire hovered over their heads. And with that, the Holy Spirit gave them the strength and ability to speak with authority, going out to share the Good News of forgiveness and salvation through God’s own Son, Jesus Christ.
This chapter goes on to tell us that there were people from every country and region of the known world, and all, of course, spoke in their native tongues. But as Peter and the other disciples began preaching and witnessing to the teachings of Jesus, those present understood what was being said because they heard it in their own language! What a remarkable experience it would be — standing in a crowd of people from all over the world and hearing the message of love and freedom through Christ in words you could comprehend. The power of the Holy Spirit was at work through both the speakers and the listeners — after all, no matter how well a message is delivered, the other half of the experience requires listeners who respond.
As those who worship the triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, most of us have our own sense of the three “persons.” There’s God the Father, Creator, power of the Universe, yet also the father of his human son, Jesus. As God the Son, we relate to Jesus, the divine human who lived among us, taught, preached, suffered, died, and rose from the dead. The Gospels tell us the stories of his life and ministry, and we view him as a real person. But the concept of who and what the Holy Spirit is a challenge. Martin Luther explained the Holy Spirit as having “called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith.”
It sounds as though the Holy Spirit has a very wide-ranging job description! But that’s where we come in, because as we are called and enlightened, we are also privileged to go about the Spirit’s work, and are equipped to do so. As we care for one another, through the hard times, the celebrations, and the everyday-ness of our lives, the Spirit is working through us. Everyone, at one time or another, has had that little nudge that lets us know we need to do, say, or listen in a way that shows Christ’s love and compassion.
It’s most appropriate that we confirm our young people on the Day of Pentecost, and we pray the Holy Spirit will continue to call, enlighten, sanctify and keep them in the true faith.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers