“God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (New Century Version)
As I write this blog, it is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a celebration that commemorates the actual start of the Church. That is, on that day, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was sent in a visible way to the followers of Jesus, giving them the power of God through the indwelling of the Spirit. This was the start of the worldwide mandate to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.
This power was manifested immediately by the disciples who began to speak in the languages of those people assembled in Jerusalem for the Hebrew feast of Pentecost (Shavuot). That feast was celebrated 50 days after the Passover holy days. Jews from all around the known world came to the festival, and they were amazed that these rugged fishermen and untrained Galileans were able to speak foreign languages so that all present understood the Good News.
The message here is that ordinary people were empowered to spread the Good News that Jesus brought to earth. These new believers now were the only means to convey the greatest message in the world – that God so loved the world that He sent his only son to redeem it.
Prayer: Lord, you have entrusted us with a powerful message that all need to hear. Strengthen us to do it well, Amen
Reflections of a Counselor 