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We leaned into the Christian calendar last Sunday to celebrate an often overlooked holiday: Ascension Sunday. It is not a big commercial holiday in America like Easter or Christmas. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if American retailers treated Ascension Day like Christmas or Easter. Let’s have a little fun and imagine. We’d probably end up with helium balloon sales, “experience the lift” trampoline promotions, and Burger King introducing “The Ascension Stack–now with heavenly onion rings.”
This week we turn to a more familiar holy day: Pentecost Sunday. What would commercial retailers dream up for it? Pentecost would probably become the official holiday of scented candles, 40% off red apparel, and Taco Bell’s “Baptized in Fire” ghost pepper sauce. Somewhere a marketing team at Home Depot would decide that the “rush of a mighty wind” is perfect for advertising patio fans and leaf blowers.
It’s funny to imagine because we know how easily meaningful things can become commercialized—but maybe the humor also reminds us how unique these holy days really are.
Here is an excerpt from The Worship Sourcebook on Pentecost:
“Ten days after the ascension of Christ and fifty days after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was an established Jewish festival also known as the Feast of Weeks, which drew people from many nations back to Jerusalem (Lev. 23:15-21; Deut. 16:16). Pentecost symbolizes a new beginning. It celebrates the unleashing of the Holy Spirit on the world and the empowering of the church to reach the world with the gospel. In celebrating Pentecost, the church expresses its gratitude for the faithfulness of Christ in fulfilling his promise to send ‘another counselor’ (John 14:16); celebrates the work of the Spirit in renewing all of creation; professes its confidence and security in knowing the Spirit’s power is available for its mission; and grows in awareness of the immensity of its calling to reach the world with the gospel.”
Traditionally, we decorate our sanctuary and wear the color red on Pentecost, after the flames described in Acts 2:3. Why not break out your best red stuff for Sunday?
Here are a few things to do and remember on this Pentecost weekend:
Read about it. Here are several passages to read for inspiration about the person and work of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity:
Mark 1:8 Baptized with the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-17 We have an advocate.
John 16:12-15 A guide to understand truth.
Acts 1:8 Empowerment to be witnesses.
Acts 2:1-4 Story of the first Pentecost.
Romans 8:26-27 The Spirit Intercedes for us.
Galatians 5:22-23 The Spirit makes our lives fruitful.
Here are some things the presence of the Holy Spirit does in our life:
The Holy Spirit draws us through grace to the Father.
The Spirit helps us to pray and intercedes within us.
Every time I read the Bible, I pray asking the Spirit to inspire the reading of God’s
Word by helping me to understand and apply it to my life. Here is a prayer you can pray before reading Scripture:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of
your faithful and kindle in us the fire
of your love. Send forth your Spirit
and we shall be created.
And you shall renew the face of the
earth. O God, who by the light of the
Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of
the faithful, grant that by the same
Holy Spirit we may truly be wise and
ever enjoy your consolations.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
It is the Spirit who nurtures in us the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control).
Another wonderful work of the Spirit is giving us assurance of forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.
See you Sunday as we continue our series You Promised by looking at Jesus’ promise in Acts 1: You will receive power.
Jimmy