Scholars tell us that the first Pentecost took place during the Jewish Feast of Weeks where the first fruits of the harvest were offered to God in thanksgiving. But on this particular day, instead of giving our first fruits to God, He gave his first fruit—the Holy Spirit—to us.
And what an amazing gift the Holy Spirit has been! It is His power that has kept the Church on track, despite human sinfulness and brokenness, for two millennia. It is His grace that has strengthened us, revealed Jesus to us, moved us to serve, and convinced us that Jesus will indeed come back to bring heaven down to earth. To put it quite simply, Pentecost is all about the fact that Almighty God has come to live in human hearts, making ordinary people into extraordinary saints.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles, breathed on them, said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Just as he did at that first Pentecost over 2000 years ago, Jesus wants to breathe God’s energy into our hearts every day. The spiritual dynamic that was present at that first Pentecost, moving people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church, is still at work today.
How can we tell if this breath of God is active in our lives? We will feel energized by the Spirit, and we will want to set our sights on being like Jesus. We will feel moved to go to work for God to build the kingdom here on earth, relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. We will try to be more loving, more kind, and more patient...relying on the Spirit for strength when we think we don't have any more left to give.
So right now, stop and take a few deep breaths. Know that what you are breathing in is pure, holy, and exciting. Jesus has great plans for every member of his church. And that includes you!
by Deborah Gretzinger (no RE-Gretz)
And what an amazing gift the Holy Spirit has been! It is His power that has kept the Church on track, despite human sinfulness and brokenness, for two millennia. It is His grace that has strengthened us, revealed Jesus to us, moved us to serve, and convinced us that Jesus will indeed come back to bring heaven down to earth. To put it quite simply, Pentecost is all about the fact that Almighty God has come to live in human hearts, making ordinary people into extraordinary saints.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles, breathed on them, said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Just as he did at that first Pentecost over 2000 years ago, Jesus wants to breathe God’s energy into our hearts every day. The spiritual dynamic that was present at that first Pentecost, moving people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church, is still at work today.
How can we tell if this breath of God is active in our lives? We will feel energized by the Spirit, and we will want to set our sights on being like Jesus. We will feel moved to go to work for God to build the kingdom here on earth, relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. We will try to be more loving, more kind, and more patient...relying on the Spirit for strength when we think we don't have any more left to give.
So right now, stop and take a few deep breaths. Know that what you are breathing in is pure, holy, and exciting. Jesus has great plans for every member of his church. And that includes you!
by Deborah Gretzinger (no RE-Gretz)
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