Amazing God of transformation; make new the life attitude in this dear reader when she or he faces challenges so that he or she may be lifted above them; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Acts 2: 1 When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force - no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. 3 Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, 4 and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. 5 There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. 6 When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. 7 They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? 8 How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? 9 Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; 11 both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs! "They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!" 12 Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?" 13 Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine." 14 That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: "Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. 15 These people aren't drunk as some of you suspect. They haven't had time to get drunk - it's only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen: 17 "In the Last Days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. 18 When the time comes, I'll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they'll prophesy. 19 I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and billowing smoke, 20 the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous; 21 And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved." (The Message)
Dr. Tony Campolo, noted author and university professor and preacher, tells the story of a derelict named Joe, whose life was headed for certain destruction and death. He was addicted to booze and lived a life that reflected it. No one gave him much chance to make it to old age. Once in a homeless shelter there came an evangelistic message and Joe gave his life to Jesus. And he was made new by the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a volunteer at the shelter, doing things that others would not, such as cleaning up vomit when someone had had too much to drink and eat; he would scrub the toilets when no one else would. Whenever a new resident would come in too drunk to undress and ready for bed, Joe would help them. One day one derelict heard the same gospel message and went to the altar in tears and began to cry out, "God, make me like Joe! God, make me like Joe! Make me like Joe!" The director asked, "Son, don't you think you should ask to be made like Jesus?" The man asked, "Is He like Joe?"
You see, Joe spoke the language of love and compassion when he met Jesus. God gave him a language that others needed to hear. You've seen some in churches that speak the language of graceful, loving teaching in those now almost rare Sunday school settings. You've seen others with a language of visitation to those who are too sick to get out of their homes. Some take that language to hospitals. The Miracle at Pentecost still happens today. God pours out His Spirit to those who receive it and makes them new witnesses to the power and mercy of God. The language may still be English or Spanish or German or whatever, but the outward "language" they speak is now a heavenly tongue of caring and going beyond what is expected to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. I call that the most important language we could ever hope to speak, Jesus.
What language do you speak? Are you speaking "Jesus?"
PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit and make me a new speaker in a tongue and language that will bless You and Yours. I'm tired of speaking too quietly and softly the language of self-centeredness, of me-ness, and other unintelligible tongues. I want the loud, clear language of Jesus to by my language. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thanks to Dr. Richard and Jan Evans for their daily "God's Children" devotional where the Joe story appeared this morning. You can see www.tonycampolo.com for more about Tony and his ministry.
