Pentecost - Easter People

Pentecost

Easter People

‘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 deemed 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

We are Easter people, and everything starts with the Holy Spirit!

Essential at creation. In Old Testament times, people leading, prophets inspiring. In Jesus’ life and ministry, Spirit led. At Pentecost, descending on the disciples, shocking them out of the paralysis of fear and inspiring their ministry.

We too are similarly led to spread the Good News message. Jesus promised that we would achieve even greater things than he. He was going to his Father so that the Spirit would be free to work powerfully through his dysfunctional disciples to win the world for Christ. It is this sane Spirit that is helper, advocate and friend to us today.

Jesus’ death on the cross still left emptiness within the disciples until the Pentecost miracle. Then, fully charged, they were able to go out and face the crowd, face the criticism, face the danger, and stand up and speak out about the Messiah they all adored.

The danger at looking back at the events of Pentecost is that we place it in history and celebrate it as a re-enactment of those first events. But the truth is that the arrival of the Advocate happens to us every day. It is Jesus’ gift to us; an ongoing experience that reminds us of all that Jesus has said and done. This is the power of the Holy Spirit.

A drop of water can create a gorge the size of the Grand Canyon. All it needs is time. Jesus affected the lives of a few thousand people. When it comes to spreading the triumphant message of the cross, the transformation of lives and bringing people into a right relationship with God, it is the sheer numbers that have followed Jesus Christ that have brought the Good News message to all.

So, what vision for the world does the Spirit inspire in you?  This is as good a time as any to be an advocate, comforter and friend to neighbours or strangers. Take time to speak to someone on whom the rest of the world has turned their back. It’s up to you.

We are Easter people; be great in the Spirit! In all you endeavour, may the Holy Spirit be with you.

           Breathe on me, Breath of God;
           fill me with life anew,
           that I may love what thou dost love,
           and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will one will,
to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God;
so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.

              Edwin Hatch (1835–1889)

The Methodist Church provides worship and devotional resources at www.methodist.org.uk