When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven
and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed
to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:1-4).
Pentecost*, it is a day of miraculous grace to commemorate and remember.
Born of the Spirit, according to the will of God, and sent by the Word, Jesus Christ, His disciples gathered on Pentecost, were empowered to launch the church into all the world, also born of the Word and the Spirit.
The indwelt apostles and disciples received a new birth by the grace of God and were united, one to another, to accomplish the Lord’s commission.
The filling of today’s disciples is no less supernatural—though not in quite the same spectacular fashion. But this filling serves to unite all humanity—from every tribe, tongue, and nation. And transforms us into one new humanity—loving and serving one another, glorifying the King, and worshipping the Ancient of Days.
This day was a new beginning, for a new creation. And the early beginnings of the church seemed ideal—until the sin of the world spilled over, staining, dividing, and causing dissension. Though battling to survive in a broken world, the church, by the Spirit, moves forward through history.
Try to imagine the world without her—even as riddled with fault as it is. But dare we? For in a dark and dangerous world, His light and beauty still shines through her. By the Spirit.
How else do we, the Body of Christ, His Church, share the gospel in grace and truth?
How else do we live in a manner worthy of our calling?
How else do we live as one new humanity?
How else do we battle sin?
How else would we be sanctified for obedience?
How else do we love, as He loved?
Only by the Holy Spirit.
What Gift!
So, in the spirit of such a good and gracious Gift, let us, together—united by one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, as one Body—cooperate with the Spirit to perfect, grow, and mature the church.
Great and Glorious God, we, reborn of the Word and the Spirit, give thanks this memorable day that the Christ has been glorified and the Spirit has been poured out upon us. "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with [us] all" (2 Cor 13:14), to the end of the age—as we faithfully grow and serve the kingdom and our King.
*Pentecost, an annual Jewish festival, was observed 50 days after Passover