Pentecost
Rev. J.D. Georlett

Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. This is the day when we remember a rather remarkable event in history. According to the book of Acts, chapter 2, the Christian Church, as it existed at the time, was made up of only a few people. Jesus had died, He had risen from the dead, and He has ascended into Heaven. His followers were all gathered in one small place, praying, and waiting and wondering about what would happen next.

Suddenly, a sound like that of a wild and violent wind from Heaven filled the room, and each of the disciples were suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit. In that moment, they were enabled to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

That’s an interesting phrase right there, isn’t it? “As the Spirit gave them the ability.” Hundreds of years before that day, we’re told in the book of Numbers that the Spirit suddenly took over and began speaking through them. The same thing happened to King Saul and to some of his messengers in the book of 1 Samuel. These are very mysterious, and unexplainable events. Of course, the Bible is filled with stories such as this; stories that defy explanation. And for generations, many people have claimed to be the ones who have figured out exactly how the Holy Spirit does what it does.

On Pentecost, the Spirit gave the followers of Jesus ability as it wanted, according to the Spirit’s will, not ours. Instead of trying to understand how the Holy Spirit works and instead of trying to control it, why don’t we spend this day celebrating the beautiful and mysterious freedom of God? Let us all celebrate the fact that God goes beyond all of our limitations.
Pastor Lynette