God’s deeds of power.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. John 14:16-17
Jesus asked for his followers to be given another Advocate. Jesus’ request was answered.
While staying with them, Jesus ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:4-5
It was ten days. Jesus told them to stay and they did.
“..But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Jesus asked for an Advocate and the Holy Spirit was given. Ten days later it happened after Jesus’ return to God (the Ascension) the Holy Spirit comes.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2:1-4
Filled with the Holy Spirit as the Spirit gave them ability. Power to speak in languages to all who had gathered in Jerusalem. The sound like a rush of violent wind. The sight that appeared as divided tongues of fire resting upon each of them. This weekend as we celebrate Pentecost we hear from Acts 2 (click here if you want to read it) how Jesus’ promise is fulfilled.
This week will you join me in a holy curiosity of how Jesus is continuing to keep that promise to each of us also? We are not left alone. We are given an Advocate. We are given God’s grace in the Holy Spirit. God is still speaking and the Spirit is equipping us to both receive and to give. We get to see God’s deeds of power. Jesus, God with us, Emmanuel, the Word made flesh has given us the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit, the Advocate given to those many centuries ago is also given to you and to me. Let’s keep listening and looking. Let’s keep being open and willing to receive the Spirit. Let’s share God’s amazing deeds of power.
Uncertain of what this means? Curious about how you are being equipped and called to both receive and give this Spirit? We have a season ahead of us to delve into our sacred Scripture, worship together, open ourselves to receive, practice and proclaim. I hope you will join in this journey. If you click on the video above it’s a song that you might listen to this week as you allow yourself to be open to how the Spirit is at work in you