In the Footsteps of Jesus #26

Scripture: Acts 2:1-12

¹When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." ¹²And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

"PENTECOST!"

With a mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire the Church comes into being. That is the reality of Pentecost. Almost 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit fell upon 120 men and women huddled in an Upper Room in Jerusalem and turned the world upside down. We are the spiritual descendants of those first believers. We are the Church. Unique among all other institutions on earth. A group whose charter was written by God in eternity; whose founder, Jesus Christ, died and rose again that they might have new life, and whose fellowship is selected by the Spirit from the rank and file of sinful humanity.

Let us celebrate. We are the Church. Mindful that: “The Church is not a building. The Church is not a steeple. The Church is not a resting place. The Church is the people!” People foreordained by God to be his chosen possession. People cleansed by Jesus’ blood. People renewed and recreated by the Holy Spirit. People called by divine appointment to fulfill the Great Commission that all the world may know. A people on the journey to eternity. United with all who have gone before and all who will follow. A people in time and space, yet looking for that time when we will transcend both. This and much more is what it means to be the Church. Celebrate that Good News!

Question: What does the Church mean to you?

Prayer: Father, help us to celebrate the Church. Amen.