This Sunday, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Invite friends, family, and others to the celebration feast. The liturgical Easter cycle comes to a conclusion after 50 days of celebration of Easter. This coincides with the 50 days between the Passover in the Old Testament and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. Now, the law is not something outward, but internal. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit to the whole world. Pentecost is also the celebration in the Old Testament of the first fruits of the spring harvest. Likewise, Pentecost in the Christian Church is a celebration of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, moving in and through our lives and bearing fruit for us and others.

The gift of the Holy Spirit has been prophesied and promised from the beginning of time. In the Old Testament, this gift was given to particular people at particular times for particular purposes. But the prophets of old foretold of a time when the Spirit would be poured out upon all people, regardless of race, gender, or rank. (Joel 2.28-29, Ezekiel 36.25-27)

Now, all has been completed with Creation, Incarnation, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost. All that is left is for the Second Coming of Jesus. We live in this in between time and during this time God continues to pour out his Spirit upon us.

Think of the disciples at the end of Matthew 28. Before Jesus gives the great commission, it says that the disciples were gathered together. Some worshiped and some doubted. Maybe some did both. It wasn’t until after the Ascension and the outpouring of the Spirit that they and us moved outward and forward in mission.

We are called to be the image bearers of God, bringing Heaven and Earth together in this world now. The focus is less on where we go when we die, though that is important, but much more about what we’re doing here and now. Fortified with the Spirit, the sacraments, and the word of God, we can move forward with transformed lives, demonstrating in power and the spirit as against the wisdom of the world. Living a life that is even rebellious against the values of this world showing what it’s like to be truly human. Lives of generosity, forgiveness, reconciliation, humility, and above all love.

We are Pentecost people.

Without the Holy Spirit, we can talk about God, but not be in touch with Him. This Sunday you will have a unique opportunity to do just that, to be in touch with the living God. People who seem more effective in their lives and ministry are those who give more of themselves to the Spirit. It is a daily practice to say “ Come Holy Spirit.”

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost and don't forget to WEAR RED!

Come and See.

+Philip