Pentecost Poem

A little late, perhaps, but here is a Pentecost Poem, by Malcolm Guite:

Today we feel the wind beneath our wings
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays
Today the church draws breath at last and sings
As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.
This is the feast of fire,air, and water
Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.
The earth herself awakens to her maker
And is translated out of death to birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release
Today the gospel crosses every border
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace
Today the lost are found in His translation.
Whose mother-tongue is Love, in every nation.

(Source)

The Triune God

Today's texts: Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17, (25-27)



The Trinity is a basic Christian belief, yet the notion of the triune God (one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Spirit) is possibly the most difficult Christian doctrine to understand. Where does this idea of Trinity come from? The word Trinity is found nowhere in the Bible. However, from very early on in Christian history, the concept of the Trinity was the basic understanding of God’s nature, based on how he revealed himself in scripture.

Passages like this week’s from John 14 are at the root of the question. Jesus’ disciples ask him to show them the Father. Jesus replies that since they’ve seen him they’ve also seen the Father, suggesting that in a mysterious way Jesus and the Father are one yet also separate persons. Then Jesus promises that he will ask the Father to send the Spirit of truth to his followers, saying in the verses beyond this week’s reading that he will not abandon his followers, but that he will come to them. So the Spirit and Jesus are also one -- the Spirit, sent from the Father, being Jesus’ presence in his followers. All are One, yet all three are clearly unique persons.



And there it is: Father, Son, Spirit, the three persons existing in an eternal, interdependent unity. The first believers (being good Jews) knew that there was only One God, yet here we (and they) see not just three different expressions of God, but clearly three unique persons doing the One God’s work in the world.

This week's texts: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15.

Which call will you respond to?

This week’s epistle reading is the last few verses of Revelation. It announces that Jesus is coming soon and things will be set right once and for all. This is an encouraging and hopeful word to hear. God’s victory over evil is a given throughout Revelation (no contest!), but here it strikes a note of particular finality.

Here at the imminent coming of Jesus we are presented with a choice. In chapter 21 we saw the vision of the new heaven and new earth and the Holy City coming to earth, the kingdom of God where God will dwell with his people and there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain.

For that to be true, none of the causes of those things can enter the city of God. So those who have been faithful in word and deed to Jesus Christ -- those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb -- are welcomed in, whereas the sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and liars are left outside. It’s not that they roam outside a geographical city: the point is simply that they will not be part of God’s kingdom life.

And so we are presented with a choice. To respond to the call to come to Jesus and take his free gift of life, we must choose to walk away from those things that bring death. We can’t have it both ways -- we can’t respond both to the call to life and the call to death.

Which way will you choose today?

This week's readings: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-37; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17; 25-27

The Holy Spirit Will Remind Us

(Text below the video)



Today's texts: Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10,22 - 22:5; John 14:23-29

John 14 is part of what is known as the “Farewell Discourse”, a long section of Jesus’ private teachings and encouragement to his disciples before he is arrested and crucified (John 13:31-16:33). It contains some strong warnings about and faithfulness in the midst of coming persecution against his disciples. Throughout this section, you can sense the disciples’ confusion and anxiety about Jesus’ departure.

Perhaps in response to this anxiety, Jesus also gives words of incredible encouragement. In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus says that if his disciples love him, they will obey his teachings. Conversely, lack of obedience means a lack of love. Some of his disciples may well have panicked at this point: Oh boy. What was all that stuff he taught us again? How can I obey if I don’t remember what he taught me?

But Jesus will not abandon his disciples. The world may leave us to fend for ourselves, but Jesus does not give as the world gives. Don’t panic, disciples! says Jesus. The Father will send the Holy Spirit, who will teach you what you need to know and remind you of what I taught you!

It’s no different for us. We don’t need to worry or be afraid, because the Holy Spirit is given to everyone who loves and trusts Jesus. We may have the Gospels to turn to for Jesus’ teachings (unlike these first disciples), but it is the Holy Spirit that reminds us of those teachings and helps us understand and obey them.

This week's readings: Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97; Revelation 22:12-21; John 17:20-26