Monday 6 June 2022 – Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

What a scene! The disciples had just spent a number of weeks (40 days) being with resurrected Jesus and are now waiting to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes (1:8). I wonder what they thought that would be like?  I’m thinking it wasn’t what happened! They saw the Holy Spirit, felt Him and heard Him as they started speaking in tongues as they were filled. At least 15 different languages/nations mentioned giving glory to God the Father. What a scene. No wonder a crowd came.

The Christian experience is not dull. The Holy Spirit is vibrant and alive and unlike any other experience, the very presence of Jesus living within us. It is a supernatural experience. The Holy Spirit is transformative. He inspires us, encourages us, energises us, allows us to operate in the gifts of the Spirit, and speak in tongues. Most of all, as Jesus promised, he empowers us to be witnesses for Jesus, the Holy Spirit isn’t for us to keep to ourselves, but to be empowered to share Jesus with the world.

If this is not your experience, then ask someone to pray with you today.

Lord Jesus, fill us (and me) with the Holy Spirt afresh and again today. Empower us to share the grace and freedom of your gospel of salvation, wherever that may take us. Amen

Written by Suzie Hodgson