What a difference the Holy Spirit makes!
By Sha.ron Q.uek
Today is Pentecost Sunday. The word “Pentecost” is derived from Greek pentecostē which means “50th day”. Pentecost is the Christian festival that marks the coming of the Holy Spirit (described in Acts 2) upon the apostles and other disciples in Jerusalem 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. It is also the Jewish Feast of Harvest or Feast of Weeks (called that because it was always 7 weeks or about 50 days from the Feast of First Fruits in the Old Testament) when the Holy Spirit came down on all the disciples![1] Pentecost also occurred 10 days after Jesus’ ascension, which occurred 40 days after His resurrection (described in Acts 1:1-11).
Imagine, if you will, that you were one of Jesus’ disciples.
The sadness of losing your teacher through His arrest, trial and crucifixion during Passover week, to the bewilderment of hearing of his resurrection on Sunday to seeing Him for yourself when He appeared in person to all of you. Then, as you meet the risen Lord over the next 40 days, the sense of many things coming together as you realise what Jesus is revealing about the Kingdom. Then, Jesus’ instructions to wait for the promise of the Father, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit which will come upon them “not many days from now” (Acts 1:4-5, ESV)
What did Jesus mean by all this? And so, you wait. After 10 days, just a week and a half, on the day of Pentecost, the dramatic coming of the Holy Spirit as a mighty rushing wind, that filled an entire house and the appearance of divided tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of you as you were filled with the Holy Spirit and how we spoke in other languages as the Spirit enabled (Acts 2:1-4, ESV)
Many people thought the disciples were drunk! But Peter stood up and boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus to the crowd.
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Acts 2: 22-24 (ESV)
And 3000 people responded to Peter’s call to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
What a difference the Holy Spirit made in the hearts of all the apostles and disciples present there who waited for the promise of the Father.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
And what a difference the Holy Spirit makes in OUR hearts and souls TODAY as people of the same promise as children of the heavenly Father.
Church, as we reflect on the Holy Spirit’s coming so powerfully on Pentecost. This same Holy Spirit is at work in all disciples today! Let’s take heart that Jesus knew how weak and insecure His apostles and disciples would feel when He left them. So, He sent the helper, the Holy Spirit, who comes alongside powerfully to empower His saints for the Kingdom work before them.
Holy Spirit, come breathe on US again as You call us to Your Kingdom’s work to all peoples near and far.
[1] “What is Pentecost and where did it come from?”, Christianity.com
