A Day to Remember
There are certain days I can’t forget. The day I proposed to Stacy in front of about 400 people. The day we got married. The day I held each of my four kids for the first time. And before all of those days, the day I trusted Jesus with my life. These are not only days I remember; they are ones I never want to forget.
I imagine Jesus’ first followers had a few days they couldn’t forget either. The day Jesus walked on water, fed over 5,000 people with a few loaves and fish, calmed the storm, healed blind men, and cured lepers. I am sure they recalled the day He was crucified, as well as the day they learned of His resurrection. And in light of all these days, I wonder where they would rank the day of Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them.
This day was different from all the other days. Not necessarily better, but different. Let me explain. When Jesus came to earth, it marked God coming to dwell with His people. When the Spirit descended at Pentecost, it marked God coming to dwell in His people.
It is easy to focus on the disciples speaking in various tongues and wonder how that applies to us. But Peter quickly points us to a greater reality beyond this visible and audible miracle. In quoting the prophet Joel, Peter takes our attention away from the various languages being spoken to the new reality of grace. His quote begins, “And in the last days it shall be,” God declares, “that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and yours sons and daughters shall prophesy , and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
Up until this point, the Spirit would only descend on a limited number of God’s people for a limited time and limited purpose. But now that was changing. The Spirit was poured out on all of God’s people regardless of age, gender, or ability. This is a day to remember!
This day still matters for us today. God is with us and in us through every trial, circumstance, challenge, opportunity, and calling. What are you facing that clearly requires God’s presence? Whatever it is, take some time to reflect on the reality of God living in you through His Spirit. Seek His help. Ask for His strength. Confess your weakness. Pentecost is a day to remember – let’s not forget!
By Philip Jones
Philip and his wife, Stacy, have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.
A Historical Reality
I imagine Jesus’ first followers had a few days they couldn’t forget either. The day Jesus walked on water, fed over 5,000 people with a few loaves and fish, calmed the storm, healed blind men, and cured lepers. I am sure they recalled the day He was crucified, as well as the day they learned of His resurrection. And in light of all these days, I wonder where they would rank the day of Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them.
This day was different from all the other days. Not necessarily better, but different. Let me explain. When Jesus came to earth, it marked God coming to dwell with His people. When the Spirit descended at Pentecost, it marked God coming to dwell in His people.
It is easy to focus on the disciples speaking in various tongues and wonder how that applies to us. But Peter quickly points us to a greater reality beyond this visible and audible miracle. In quoting the prophet Joel, Peter takes our attention away from the various languages being spoken to the new reality of grace. His quote begins, “And in the last days it shall be,” God declares, “that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and yours sons and daughters shall prophesy , and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
Up until this point, the Spirit would only descend on a limited number of God’s people for a limited time and limited purpose. But now that was changing. The Spirit was poured out on all of God’s people regardless of age, gender, or ability. This is a day to remember!
This day still matters for us today. God is with us and in us through every trial, circumstance, challenge, opportunity, and calling. What are you facing that clearly requires God’s presence? Whatever it is, take some time to reflect on the reality of God living in you through His Spirit. Seek His help. Ask for His strength. Confess your weakness. Pentecost is a day to remember – let’s not forget!
By Philip Jones
Philip and his wife, Stacy, have been attending Immanuel since 2015. They are blessed to be raising four kids. His passion in ministry is to help others follow Jesus through teaching, preaching, and personal discipleship.
A Historical Reality
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