April 21 - The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Acts 2:1-4 

Diane Ward 

Fifty days after the Passover Sabbath the longing and waiting for the Holy Spirit Jesus had promised was over. As the disciples gathered in a room of the temple in Jerusalem a violent wind of the Spirit and tongues of flame ushered in the presence of the Holy Spirit. From surrounding cities and regions Pentecost pilgrims were amazed to hear their native languages spoken where the disciples were gathered.

During years of clinical practice, I witnessed the presence of the Holy Spirit at the bedside of a dying patient. A visitor sat beside him reading from Revelation 22. Suddenly he was kneeling at the bedside speaking and praying words unknown to me. As I watched the last breath of the patient a powerful wind blew through the small hospital room sending objects flying. This I knew - the Holy Spirit was powerfully present!

At the coming of the Holy Spirit Peter’s impassioned message to those present ignited the hearts and spirits of new believers and the church of Jesus Christ was born with a following of new baptized believers. Jesus’ victory at Calvary had foiled the plan of Satan. Jesus had been led into the wilderness after his baptism, filled with the Holy Spirit to be tempted of Satan. (Luke 4:1-2) Temptation often comes with its strongest power when we are nearest to God. Satan aims high – even Peter the rock on which Jesus was to build his church, denied three times knowing him.

Those who heard and accepted Peter’s message of new life in Jesus served in unity, sharing, and caring for each other. We are living at an epic time, witnessing daily the power of the Holy Spirit. We serve in spirit alongside the early Christian church, carrying within us the message of God’s love and the hope of new life.

“Dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 20-22)