When the Holy Spirit shows up, prepare to be amazed.
Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday on our church calendar. It’s the day that we officially recognize the Holy Spirit showing up on the scene after Jesus ascended into Heaven. I love the Pentecost story. It’s found in the Book of Acts and It’s fascinating stuff.
The Book of Acts tells us that Jesus spent forty days on earth appearing to different people and eating and hanging out with the disciples. Then he tells the disciples that he is going to leave them, but that he is sending someone else. In the Book of John, Jesus calls him “Counselor and the Spirit of truth.”
The part that grabs my attention is that Jesus tell his disciples, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4b-5
They did as they were told and gathered as a group along with the women who followed Jesus including his mother, (I so love that she got included in the story because she played such a vital part in his earthly life, like most mamas); and his brothers. According to the text, the number was around a hundred and twenty.
So, all of those people sat there together praying and waited. I would love to know what was going through their minds. Were they afraid or bold at this point? Either way, they were obedient and Jesus fulfilled his promise. Of course, God always comes through when we are obedient.
The Holy Spirit showed up in a very loud wind and dancing tongues of fire rested on each person’s head. The Spirit enabled them to speak in different languages. It was obviously a miracle. I mean, no one snaps their fingers and can speak another language.
However, as is often the case with miracles, the people in the street couldn’t believe it. They accused them of being drunk, like anyone has ever been able to speak a different language when they are intoxicated. But, there will always be those who refuse to believe in the power of God, even when there is no other possible explanation. We still have those people today.
Peter addressed the crowd of naysayers; yes, the same Peter who denied Jesus at the time of his arrest. He explained to everyone in the crowd about Jesus and salvation and grace. About three thousand accepted his message and were baptized. What a comeback!
But, redemption and forgiveness are always available to those who follow Jesus.
When we follow and obey the words of Jesus, the unimaginable can happen. If we want the Holy Spirit to show up, we have to obey. Sometimes we are called to wait. Sometimes we are called to act. Either way, when the Spirit is on the scene, be prepared for the amazing. Pentecost was only the beginning.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂