The Vine: May 20, 2024

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” ”

— Acts 2: 1-11

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. In Jewish tradition the festival of Pentecost is known as Shavuot. Shavuot occurs seven weeks after Passover (50 days), hence it is also referred to as Pentecost (the Greek word for fiftieth). Originally, Shavuot was an agricultural festival commemorating the end of the grain harvest, particularly the wheat harvest. The Jewish people would bring their first fruits to the Temple during this festival.

The day of Pentecost had arrived, and Jesus’ disciples and other followers had gathered awaiting what was next. In Acts 1 we read about Jesus’ ascension to heaven with his promise that the Holy Spirit would come upon his followers. Sure enough, God came through on his promise as the Holy Spirit descended on the group in a special way. In a chaotic scene we have the sound like a violent wind and Jesus’ followers suddenly having the ability to speak languages other than their own. As we might expect, this scene drew quite a crowd and their reactions varied. Some were astonished. Some were amazed. Some were perplexed. Some sneered and even accused the group of being drunk.

I like what Frederick Buechner wrote about the Spirit: “Like its counterparts in Hebrew and Greek, the Latin word spiritus originally meant “breath”, and breath is what you have when you’re alive and don’t have when you’re dead. Thus spirit = breath = life, the aliveness and power of your life, and to speak of your spirit is to speak of the power of life that is in you…God also has a spirit – is Spirit, says the apostle John (4:24). Thus God is the power of the power of life itself, has breathed and continues to breathe life into his creation. Inspires it. The Spirit of God, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, is highly contagious.”

The same Holy Spirit that was at work in Acts 2 is also at work in our lives today. I like what Rueben P. Job wrote regarding the activity of the Spirit that enables to accomplish far more than we could ever imagine:

“What are you planning to do that you cannot possibly achieve without help from beyond yourself? What do you feel God is calling you to be and do that is impossible without God’s intervention in your life? These questions move us quickly to the realization that we often live our lives on the easy path of the least faith and effort. To observe the church is to see that we are not alone in choosing the easy path. Yet we know there is a better way and a higher calling for us as individuals, as congregations, and as denominations.”

“The early disciples were told to wait upon God until the power came. They waited and the power did come…This power was given to ordinary people who were called to live in an extraordinary way. Could that be your calling today?”

Questions for Reflection:

What is the significance of Jesus’ followers speaking in different languages? Why do you think Luke lists the different nations?

There were different reactions to the coming of the Holy Spirit in this unique, powerful manner – some were amazed, astonished, perplexed, and some even sneered. Some asked the question, “What does this mean?” What does the activity of the Holy Spirit mean for you in your life of discipleship?

Read Acts 1:8. How does this event in Acts 2 fulfill Jesus’ promise before he ascended to heaven?

How do you see the work of the Holy Spirit at work in your life? How have you responded?

prayer:

“Almighty and all-loving God, just as your disciples waited upon your Spirit, we too wait. Help us to be patient in our waiting and obedient to who you call us to be. Amen.”

In Christ,

Brad

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