Pentecost
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Scripture |
John 14:8-17, 25-27 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If in my name you ask me e for anything, I will do it. 15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. 25“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid |
Devotional |
A few days before the resurrection, on the evening before his crucifixion, Jesus had an extended conservation with his disciples that prepared them for his death and resurrection. Throughout that conversation he promised them over and over again, with variations, when he was gone physically he would be present with them in the Spirit. The question: Can the disciples still love him, when he is gone? Can the next generation love him, without having a personal relationship with him? Can disciples still love him when he is gone? Jesus tells us that we can still love him, not by clinging to him or keeping the cherished memories of him or by holding on to the personal and private experiences of Jesus. The way to continue to love Jesus is by doing his work and keeping his commandments, not holding on to a past experience of Jesus. What are some of the promises and assurances of Jesus? The promise of greater works. Those who believe will perform greater works in the name of Jesus. The promise of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of what Jesus has said to us. The assurance of peace. Although troubling days were surely coming, the disciples would experience peace. Is Pentecost the beginning way of maturation of following Jesus? Is this a continuation of the life Jesus taught the disciples? I view Pentecost as a continuation of the practices Jesus taught the disciples. The continuation is made possible by the presence and teaching of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Spirit, in combination of working with other Christians to do the work of Jesus in the world should be our goal. Celebrating Pentecost means celebrating the maturation and gaining insight from everyone, whether it is innocence of children, the energy of youth, the cynicism of middle age, or the experience that comes for old age. Through the Spirit, difference expands purpose, youth is a source of hope, and age represents the wellspring of strength. From that I can tell, the apocalyptic and revelatory quality of Pentecost is simply that we need each other. 1 We do need each other in order to celebrate Pentecost. The challenge for me on Pentecost Sunday will be not only to recognize the need of others but to reach out in accepting others help. How about1 “God’s Creation” Malinda Elizabeth Berry. Sojourners Magazine. May 2007. (Vol. 36. no. 5, p. 49) |