Pentecost
Jun 19th, 2019
Acts 2:1-21
“Telling mighty works
of God.”
A Blessed Pentecost Sunday to you all. I have fond memories of this Sunday in the
church year, especially as a child. It
meant summer was beginning, school was probably just out, and vacation time was
here. It was also a fun story to imagine
– what must it have looked like, sounded like – this miracle of God? The tongues of fire on the disciples’ heads. The various people from so many different
nations. The sound of the mighty rushing
wind. And the cacophony of dozens of
different languages being spoken. It was
a sight to see and a sound to hear. A
miracle unlike any other. But we must
also ask the question that some of the onlookers asked in verse 12, “What does
this mean?”
I have to admit, as a kid, I didn’t quite get it. I knew it had something to do with the Holy
Spirit. It seemed like, somehow, this
was something pretty important. Like a
step forward. But I couldn’t quite
articulate just what was going on. And I
have to say, that after formal seminary training and 20 years of teaching and
preaching – I still have some wonderment at this whole thing. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is
this. The best place to go for answers
about Scripture – is – Scripture itself.
And today, we don’t have to go too far to get started.
First off, the reading itself points us in the right
direction. It tells us the content of
all the multi-lingual conversing that was going on. They weren’t just talking about the weather,
or comparing different customs, making small-talk or anything like that. They were “Telling the mighty works of God”
Ah, but which mighty works might those be?
The people gathered here from the various nations were
already quite well-versed, we should think, in the Old Testament. They were God-fearing Jews from all over the
world. And they must have taken their
faith seriously to come all this way on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It’s not crazy at all to assume they knew
what God had revealed through Moses and the Prophets. That they knew the creation account. The stories of the Patriarchs, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. The Exodus from Egypt. The conquest of the Promised Land, and the
glory days of monarchy under David and Solomon.
The sad days of the exile, but also the joyous return and rebuilding of
the temple. And of course, all along the
way, the covenant promises of the One who would bring salvation. The one who would crush the head of
Satan. Be born of a virgin. Be born in Bethlehem. Suffer and die for the people. Be raised on the third day, and reign over
his enemies in ultimate triumph.
They would have, they should have known all of
this. So the mighty works they’re
hearing about must be something even more.
It can only be the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The one who fulfilled the Scriptures,
accomplished salvation, and conquered even death for the life of the world. The apostles were witnesses of these things –
all that Jesus taught and all that Jesus accomplished. Here, at Pentecost, their work of
proclamation begins in earnest. Here, at
Pentecost, begins the disciple-making of all nations. Here, by the power of the Spirit, who works
through the Word, and calls sinners to faith in Christ.
The people were perplexed. They wanted to know, what does this all
mean? And so Peter interprets
further: This event is what the prophet
Joel foresaw. This miraculous pouring
out of the Spirit on “all flesh” – or at least on a representative portion of
all nations – this special revealing of prophecy and vision – the beginning of
the signs and wonders that would confirm the apostle’s witness is all driving
toward one purpose: that “everyone who
calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”
And that Lord is Jesus Christ.
And so we see, in the context of the New Testament,
and of the Gospels, and of the witness of the apostles, that the whole point of
Pentecost is not to wow us with wind and fire and spirit – but that the name of
Jesus must be proclaimed so that all can hear, believe, and be saved. In this way, Pentecost is really not that
different than any regular Sunday morning at church. It’s really not that different from any time
the Gospel of Jesus Christ is set before sinners from any and all corners of
the earth, so that the same Spirit works through the same word to bring the
same salvation in the same strong name.
So, Christian, you who were born 2000 years after
Pentecost, halfway across the world, you might as well have been there. For the same Jesus that was proclaimed there
is proclaimed to you here and now.
Scripture also interprets itself for us when different
passages are placed side by side. And
today, we can see the wisdom of those who selected the appointed reading from
the Old Testament – the Tower of Babel.
At first, you might think there’s no rhyme or reason to go digging
around in Genesis for this strange story.
Where the pride of mankind sought to build a tower to heaven, and make a
name for themselves. Where God came down
in judgment and confused their language.
But then it starts to make sense when we see these two
events – Babel and Pentecost – side by side.
It’s as if they are mirror images.
Babel is judgment, Pentecost is blessing. Babel is confusion of language, Pentecost
overcomes the confusion. Babel is a
scattering of peoples, Pentecost is a bringing together – a unification of
various peoples in Christ. And if Babel
was all about “us” making a name for “ourselves”, Pentecost is all about
calling on the Name of the Lord.
At Babel they sought to raise themselves up to heaven
by their own will, their own work, and their own strength. But at Pentecost it’s all God’s action – the
Holy Spirit comes down – and gives them the strength and ability to do His work
– not for themselves, but for others.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, you see, is the ultimate
antidote for the ultimate ailment of sin, and in Jesus we have the reversal of
all things harmful right down to death itself.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, who was crucified for sinful human flesh, to
raise that same flesh up with himself.
The only name under heaven strong enough to save us, the only message of
salvation worth our attention, the only promise you can stake your life on,
even your eternal life. The message of
the Spirit, the message of Pentecost, the message of the church today, the
message that will continue for eternity – Jesus Christ died for you, rose for
you, lives for you.
And he builds his church. A far grander and more impressive structure
than any measly tower humans can put together.
The Church of Christ, the whole people of God, with Christ as our
cornerstone. The Spirit calls, gathers,
enlightens and sanctifies this church. The
Lord Jesus reigns over it with divine providence. And the building continues, living stone
after living stone, as more believers join our ranks by baptism and in
faith. As more sinners come to repent
and believe. As the Gospel continues to
go forth making disciples, even unto the ends of the earth, and Jesus is with
us to the end of the age. This church
which he builds – the gates of hell cannot prevail against it – against us.
A Blessed Day of Pentecost to you. May the same Spirit who was poured out on
that day strengthen you and your faith, as you continue to grow in the word,
and trust ever more in Jesus Christ. For
you have heard the mighty works he has done, and you have salvation in his
name.
