“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.”
– Acts 2:4, NRSV
For many of us, Pentecost Sunday is one of the more overlooked holidays on our Christian calendar. It lacks some of the basic hallmarks of a major holiday in our culture. There are no Pentecost gifts to be exchanged; no massive, diet-busting Pentecost dinner to be devoured; no twilight Pentecost candlelight worship services to be enjoyed, no lovely Pentecost flowers to place around the sanctuary. For any number of reasons, Pentecost Sunday is just one of those Sundays that goes somewhat unnoticed.
On Pentecost Sunday, we remember a powerful story. After the resurrection, Jesus’ disciples have been praying, waiting, watching to see what God will do and how God will use them to spread the gospel message. The disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish celebration of Pentecost, when “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” Acts 2:2-4, NRSV).
The disciples were suddenly filled with God’s Holy Spirit. The Spirit gave them the ability to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone who was gathered in Jerusalem, regardless of language. The Spirit continued to guide them as they traveled throughout the region, baptizing new believers, starting new churches, preaching the good news, and changing the world.
Christmas is the story of the God who lives with us.
Easter is the story of the God who lives for us.
Pentecost is the story of the God who lives within us.
A happy Pentecost to you all!
As you celebrate the God who has chosen to dwell within you, may you remember:
Our God is bigger than coronavirus.
Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too.
We are people blessing people.
We are Wesley Church.
Blessings,
Pastor Candy
Want to know more?
- Learn about our church and its ministries: https://wesleychurch.com/
- Make a gift to support our mission: https://wesleychurch.com/giving-2/
- View our recent messages: https://wesleychurch.com/sermon-message-on-video/
- View previous devotionals: https://wesleychurch.com/pastor-candys-devotionals-2/
