Pentecost Sunday

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”—Luke 24:49 (NIV)

The disciples obeyed the command of Jesus. They stayed in Jerusalem. They waited. And while they waited, the city began to fill with pilgrims, faithful Jews from around the world who had journeyed to Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost or Shavuot, ordained by God in the book of Leviticus:

“From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.”—Leviticus 23:15-16 (NIV)

When the Spirit falls on the disciples, it is during a harvest festival. What an appropriate image…calling to mind the words Jesus spoke to his disciples:

“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”—John 4:35b (NIV)

When the Spirit comes, the harvest begins. Souls respond to the message of salvation preached through Peter, about 3000 on that Day of Pentecost alone. It is all the work of the Spirit, but it is not all the Spirit does. Luke tells us more of how the season of harvest changes the life of the disciples:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”—Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

When the Spirit comes, so many things take place:

the word of God goes forth
teaching and fellowship take on new life
wonders and signs bring awe to the people
hearts are united in shared life and purpose
sacrificial living becomes the norm
God is praised
the love, joy, and sincerity of the disciples is noticed
the community of faith grows daily

These are marks of God’s people when completely yielded to the work of the Holy Spirit. This is what the Day of Pentecost is all about. In some congregations it is celebrated as “the birthday of the church,” which is true, but it is so much more than that. It is a day to be reminded of the power given by God to his people, and the fruit that comes from our surrender.

Today wraps up our Eastertide Song Devotions journey, and we close with songs that remind us of these different aspects of the Spirit’s work. Each of these songs is paired with a passage of Scripture assigned for today from the Revised Common Lectionary. You are invited to click on the link to read the passage, listen to the song, and then reflect on the questions posted after each song. You may wish to do them in one sitting as an extended time of devotion, or you may wish to spread them out over the day or even the week.

This pairing of Lectionary texts with music is similar to the format we’ll be using for a new weekly devotional/study tool starting tomorrow, May 24th. While we will no longer be sharing a daily journey of song reflections, it’s our prayer that each Monday’s offering of Scripture and song will provide you with worshipful, prayerful, and meditative moments for week, and will help you prepare for worship on Sundays with your own family of faith.

May the God who sent and still sends his Spirit to his people, providing for their every need and empowering them for their every call, bless you and keep you as you draw closer to him and know more and more the depth of his love and power in your life. Amen.

Lectionary Readings for Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd, 2021

Reading One: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NRSV)

Song: Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God (lyrics here)

Reflection

Can you identify with the cry of Israel, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely,” and the despair and emptiness it reflects? Spend some time before God asking him to breathe new life into those areas of life where you feel dry and lifeless.

Reading Two: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b (NRSV)

Song: Creation Song (lyrics here)

Reflection

The images in this psalm of all creation being part of an offering of praise to God are powerful and beautiful. How have you experienced the worship of God in the midst of his creation?

Reading Three: Romans 8:22-27 (NRSV)

Song: Come Holy Spirit (lyrics here)

Reflection

This classic song of praise offers many images for the Spirit’s work in our lives. Which speaks most to your soul today?

—wisdom to children
—new sight to the blind
—strength to my weakness
—rest to the weary
—a balm to the sore
—a dew to my dryness
—a spring in the desert

Reading Four: Acts 2:1-21 (NRSV)

Song: Fill This Place (lyrics here)

Reflection

The disciples receive from the Holy Spirit the power they need to fulfill their calling and commission from Jesus. Spend some time praying for yourself, for your local community of faith, and for the church around the world…that the Spirit would empower and fill us all in new ways as we seek to live out the mission and calling Christ has given to us.