A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR
A few weeks ago was the festival of Pentecost. It was on this day, seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, that the Holy Spirit came to the disciples in Jerusalem. In Judaism, this day is a harvest festival called Shavuot. That is why so many Israelites from outside Israel were filling the streets of
Jerusalem.
Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in the city until the Holy Spirit arrived. And when it arrived, it created quite a commotion. Wind and noise, fiery tongues and the apostles preaching in all the languages of those present. In the midst of this cacophony, Peter explains to this bewildered crowd how Jesus is their savior. Because of the Holy Spirit and Peter’s proclamation, about three thousand were baptized that day.
Martin Luther, in his explanation of the third article of the Creed, states that the Holy Spirit “calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.” We can only know the Spirit through its action and activity.
We receive this Spirit as it changes us and pushes us to reflect God’s presence and love into the world. This is not something we can control; we may only be receptive.
As we pray for God’s blessings and as we work toward the vision of God’s kingdom, we recognize the activity of the Holy Spirit. It is what gives us as followers of Jesus the assurance of His abiding presence.
Pastor John