Image from livingthelectionary.blogspot.com
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. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: “In the last days it will be, God declares,that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:1-21)
Good day dear Friend! Praying this finds you well and ready for today and all its opportunities to serve God and to do good for all people! This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, and the above passage tells why the Church celebrates it; it's the Church's birthday and as we will read, it was meant for ALL people.
Pentecost for the Jews was a feast day. It was a religious and cultural day. In their history, it was the day celebrating the receiving of the law by Moses for the people of God. In a very real way, it was like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day mixed into one. Those Jews who could afford it, would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate this day in the Temple. The disciples were in the Upper Room perhaps preparing to join other Jews in the Temple when it happened. It is unexplainable, as most of God's things are; It was compared to the rushing of a forceful wind, gale force and then the appearance of fire, in tongues, that rested on each of the twelve; and the 12 were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues they did not know; those from those countries whose language they were speaking became amazed at what they heard. The list is there: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesoptamians, Judeans, Cappadocians, Pontusians, and Asians; Phyrigians, Pamphylians, Egyptians and Libyans, Romans, Cretans and Arabs. Notice how the list includes enemies of the Jews? Though these were Jews so they were friendly towards each other, but you do notice the inclusive way that God chose to involve all. For each of the disciples in a foreign tongue, spoke about God's great deeds of power. Those who heard it asked "What does this mean?" Those who did not understand; and isn't it always the ignorant who choose to turn things around? The language says, "God has, and is, doing amazing things in our midst!" and they say, "These guys are drunk on cheap wine!" Nope. Peter stands and defends this, "These men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning." (Yep, some of you are thinking, "It's 5 o'clock somewhere!" Wrong!). Peter explains it as the fulfillment of prophecy as the prophet Joel had said: "God will pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh, your sons and daughters shall prophesy; young men will dream dreams. Slaves, male and female, all will have the Spirit poured out on them and they shall tell of the works of God." And, don't miss the important part: "Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
How do our churches look like today? I thank God, some look inclusive, involving all kinds of people. The strangers are welcomed and made to feel at home. Some even sing in other languages, without fear of anger or criticism from critics. Someone once said, "God uses whatever it takes, to reach all that He can, and so should the Church!" Is it music that should be appealing to younger people? Then start clapping and swaying! Is it the old, faithful hymns? Then, fire up the organ and piano! Is it sermons and messages that speak to the truth of situations and the hearts of people? Then, preach it, sister/brother! Does it take open hearts, open to the way God may work in your old church? Then pray that God open YOUR heart, and then ask for the hearts of others to open as well. Then, run, go and tell someone of the great things that God is doing in your midst!
PRAYER: Loving God, as we prepare for this Sunday, open MY heart. You know better than I, what needs to change and be thrown out; make me receptive to Your moving amongst us, but let it begin with me. As we celebrate that which happened years ago, as we celebrate Heritage Sunday, remind us that new blank pages are ever before us on which to write something new and great that God wants to do NOW. Receive this prayer of faith that we lift up in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Open your heart right now to the love of God, then give it away!
Eradio Valverde
