The Spirit Comes
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?" (John 14:5-9)
Before Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus attempted to prepare his disciples for what was to come. But Thomas' question about how to go where Jesus was going, and Philip's request that Jesus simply show them the Father, could have made Jesus throw up his hands in disgust and give up all hope that they would ever understand. Admittedly, the disciples were likely also frustrated by Jesus' seemingly cryptic explanations, but Jesus may have hoped that he had, at least, earned their trust even in the midst of their confusion. Nevertheless, it was to this ragtag group of followers that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to help them
remember what Jesus had taught them.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:25-27)
After they witnessed Jesus' ascension, the still troubled and afraid disciples waited obediently, together in Jerusalem, for the promised Spirit which they couldn't even begin to comprehend. The Jewish celebration of Pentecost occurred fifty days after Passover, and celebrated the gift of the Torah and the first fruits of harvest. It was on Pentecost that, without warning, the sound of a violent wind filled their dwelling, and licks of fire appeared to rest on each of them. Suddenly they were able to speak in the languages of the Jewish faithful who were gathered outside for the celebration. Those who were far from home now heard their native tongue being spoken by strangers, and they were drawn to the sounds of home and they, then, heard about the wonders of God.
We remain untrusting, confused, troubled, fearful followers of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is given even to us to remind us of Jesus' teachings, of our salvation in him, and to empower us to reach out and
draw others to a wondrous home in God.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”(Acts 2:1-4)
