Acts 1: 3-8
“After his suffering, He presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift My Father promised, which you have heard Me speak about….but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'”
After the resurrection, when Jesus reappeared to His followers, He promised them that when He was gone they would receive power, but that they must wait. So they waited and waited until the day of Pentecost when the promise was revealed. The Holy Spirit came upon them, giving them the power to evangelize like never before. Those who heard them speak were amazed. The Holy Spirit began to work in the hearts of the people when they heard the Truth of Jesus and thousands were brought to Christ.
The work of the Holy Spirit is still active in the hearts of believers today, empowering us to be bold in speaking truth wherever we are and using whatever method He chooses. When we invite Jesus into our lives, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts, forever sealing us in Christ. He has many additional roles, besides giving us the power to speak: He is the revealer of Truth, our Helper, Comforter, and Counselor, and Gift-giver. He is also the Fruit producer, growing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our hearts.
Knowing that the Holy Spirit of God lives in us, that He has all these miraculous functions, gives us many reasons to thank the Lord for His Gift. The Holy Spirit is alive in us!
On this Pentecost Sunday, may we rejoice and give thanks to You, Lord, for the precious gift of Your Holy Spirit that is alive in our hearts. May we be mindful every day of His presence by honoring, yielding, trusting, leaning and drawing from His power. And always, may we bring glory to You, O God! For Your sake we ask. Amen.
