Listen to the commentary
Next weekend is a “biggie” if you are part of the Jewish or Christian faith communities. Both mark Pentecost with historic significance. For Jews, it’s the culmination of their annual Passover observances. For Christians, it marks the date when – in keeping with Jesus’ promise to His Apostles – the Holy Spirit supernaturally indwelled all the followers of Jesus. History pivoted with Pentecost.
Jewish religious tradition was distinctly unitarian: they viewed the Almighty as a single personality; plain and simple. During Jesus’ three-year public ministry, the conflict with the custodians of Jewish belief went nuclear when Jesus claimed to be God, equal with His Father in Heaven.
As Jesus put the finishing touches on His teaching ministry with His chosen leadership successors – the 12 Apostles – He announced to them the unbelievable promise: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you… All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16-17, 25-26).
In the same incredible conversation: “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-15).
One God, existing in three distinct persons – Father, Son, Holy Spirit – is a core belief that sets the Christian faith apart from all others.
The Holy Spirit arrived 10 days after Jesus returned to Heaven, just as promised. Compared to Pentecost, Christmas was a quiet affair, staged in a small village with an audience consisting of Mary and Joseph, along with a few shepherds. The coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was a dramatic demonstration of miraculous dimensions – tongues of fire emanating from heads, people speaking in languages they had never studied – that occurred in front of thousands of Jewish worshipers assembled in the Jerusalem temple for a prescribed festival.
Because of the Holy Spirit’s infusion into the followers of Jesus, the movement surrounding the resurrected Savior exploded with people and nations in a manner that continues today.
Strange, isn’t it? Why are knowledge and recognition of the Father and the Son consistent among self-identified, born-again Christians, while intimacy with the person and contribution of the Holy Spirit is sparse?
While Christians generally agree regarding the Father and the Son, the role of the Holy Spirit has become a flashpoint among differing factions of the faithful, most especially during the last 100 years. The partnership – with the Holy Spirit – that Jesus said would make it possible for His followers to exceed His impact after He returned to Heaven is a declaration of defeat for the Evil One; it’s no wonder that he relishes the rejection of the Spirit’s supernatural contribution among those seeking to serve the Kingdom.
As we move into this massively significant weekend remembrance, consider reading Francis Chan’s wonderful introduction to the Holy Spirit’s position and power: Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit (David C Cook; 2009). Order it today; Kindle it immediately, or have it at your front door by Wednesday. Read it by Sunday.
You’ll be challenged by Francis’ biblical insight: “The truth is that the Spirit of the living God is guaranteed to ask you to go somewhere or do something you wouldn’t normally want or choose to do. The Spirit will lead you to the way of the cross, as He led Jesus to the cross, and that is definitely not a safe or pretty or comfortable place to be. The Holy Spirit of God will mold you into the person you were made to be. This often incredibly painful process strips you of selfishness, pride, and fear.”
Because you’ve embraced saving faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is already living in you. Are you sure you’re living the lifestyle that Pentecost was supposed to unleash?
I’ll echo my friend Francis: “I also believe that the Spirit is more obviously active in places where people are desperate for Him, humbled before Him, and not distracted by their pursuit of wealth or comforts (like we are).”
Praying for a powerful Pentecost next weekend, for both of us!
Thanks for the prompting to reread this book Bob. It is excellent. I say often that the Holy Spirit is one of the six sustainable competitive advantages we as believers have that the other side does not have. To not seek, listen and obey its leading is something most of us, including me, can be much better at.
Thanks Bob… your message is always so clear and engaging…. not as easy to follow in our daily lives…yet so easy to follow! The Holy Spirit is alive and well in my life!
I wish you strength( body and mind) and your continuing leadership….
Thanks
Mike🙏💕
Amen, Bob! We (I!) Ignore the real, actual presence of God IN US (Christ in you, the hope of glory)(Col 1:27) all too frequently. Yet, when I do consider this truth, Him in me, I have His love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control leaking (and even sometimes gushing) out of me.
Dear Jesus, give us the Holy Spirit power to live the lives you’ve called us to live. Mold us into the people we were made to be. Help us walk in the things you set out for us to do before you laid the foundation of this world. Help us to live without fear. Give us an unquenchable passion and conviction to reach the lost, and the discernment and wisdom to reach a generation living under the oppression of the evil one. Give us the wisdom to engage the culture with your love and compassion without compromising Your truth. Silence the voices of confusion that have their origins in the enemy. Give us the supernatural ability to speak the truth in love. Put roadblocks and impossible, immovable, objects in the paths of places we must not go and roads we must not travel, especially when we are unaware of the consequences of our actions, or too prideful or arrogant to see the error of our ways. Protect and deliver us from our own ineptitude and pride. Give us the courage to live boldly and for You and Your Kingdom above all else. Shine Your Light brightly through each one of us in this dark and dying world. Help us who You called “the salt of the earth” to never “lose our flavor” or “hide the light under a bushel.” Let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Give us Holy Spirit power and the spiritual armor necessary to stand against the devil’s schemes to steal, kill and destroy this generation. Drown out the demonic voices and the doctrines of demons of those who speak on behalf of the enemy as we do battle against the enemy. Protect our hearts, minds and spirits from the enemy’s plans for us, our families and our loved ones. Break down the altars of idols in our lives that have been erected purposely or in ignorance that serve the god of this world. Set us free from wrong thinking and renew our minds. Show us the way to go, and direct our paths as we navigate through both the seen and unseen minefields of this world. Deliver us from evil, keep us from every form of temptation, and keep our feet from failing as we walk Your narrow path. Give us the Holy Spirit power required and necessary for rescuing those trapped in darkness and the fires of hell without ourselves being burned or compromised. May “Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth just like it is in heaven.” Keep our hearts steadfast on You and until the day You take us home. In Your precious and holy name, Jesus, amen.