The Day of Pentecost
Almighty God,
On this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
(Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019)
John 14:15-27 NRSV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 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.
“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
There are a few mentions of the actions of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. He is not a surprise. But before Pentecost, people were given the power of the Holy Spirit for specific tasks or occasions. When the Lord wanted a job done, He chose a person and equipped them with the power of the Holy Spirit to do that one thing. It was “one and done.” Unfortunately, many believers today have an Old Testament view of the Holy Spirit. I can call on Him for a particular task or assignment. But after that, I’m on my own. We don’t keep in step with the Holy Spirit of God, day by day, as Paul said (Galatian 5:16). However, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be given to all. He would be poured out, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit would remain. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit was not just for one or only a few. It was for all disciples. At Pentecost, every believer received the Holy Spirit. “Pentecost is God’s way of saying, ‘I don’t just want a weekend visit; I want to move in and stay for good!’”[1]
A PRAYER FOR THE ANCIENT PATH
Dale Tedder
O Ancient of Days,
From everlasting to everlasting you are God, and your faithfulness extends to all generations. You have called your people to walk with you from the gardens of Eden to the streets of the New Jerusalem.
Here I stand at the crossroads of my life, hearing your voice echo across the centuries: “This is the way, walk in it.” Grant me courage to choose the narrow path, the ancient way that leads to life.
Plant my feet firmly upon the rock of your Word. Let the wisdom of the saints be my companion, the prayers of the faithful my strength, and the example of Christ my constant guide.
Make me still enough to hear your whisper, bold enough to follow where you lead, humble enough to carry your cross, and faithful enough to finish the race you’ve set before me.
Let my days be marked by prayer and silence, my work by love and service, my rest by peace in your presence, and my whole life by the pursuit of holiness that reflects your own character.
Help me walk in the power of your Spirit, not alone, but in fellowship with all who seek your face, until that day when the path brings me home to see you as you are and dwell in your house forever.
In the name of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, who walked this path before me and waits for me at journey’s end.
Amen.[2]
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] David Roseberry – https://anglicancompass.com/10-ways-to-preach-the-pentecost-sermon/
[2] https://www.ailbe.org/columns/walking-points/devotio-antiqua/
