Pentecost and being filled with the Spirit.

Acts 2:1-4. ¹When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Sometimes Christians talk about being filled with the Holy Spirit. That can mean a lot of different things to different people. Today’s scripture says that when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ten days before this, just before ascending into heaven, Jesus told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit. Then, on the day of Pentecost, it happened. The Spirit came down in wind and fire and rested on each of them. It was the beginning of a new age, a new covenant, a new people for God. The church’s birthday!

Fifty days earlier, Jesus had promised that this day would come. That HE would come to them.

John 14:18. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

He promised that both the Son and the Father would make their home in us.

John 14:23. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

And that this would happen as we receive the Helper, the Spirit of Truth.

John 14:16-17. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, ¹⁷even the Spirit of truth.

And the result would be peace.

John 14:27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

And love.

John 15:9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

And joy.

John 15:11. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

And the truth that is Jesus Christ.

John 16:13. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

All of this, the love, peace, and joy of Jesus, came into us on Pentecost. Everything that Jesus asks us to do is now possible, because he lives in us.

This is why Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven, so that his life could come into the world through the Spirit. The Spirit in us is how the whole world will know of Jesus and his love. It is how Jesus will be exalted. It is how the gospel will be spread.

Living with Jesus means we are living with the overflow of Jesus’ indwelling love, joy, and peace. The same love, joy, and peace that Jesus had when he died for us, is not what we have when we live for him.

You: Do you think Jesus is filling you with his love, joy, and peace? Why or why not?  

You with Jesus: How might you act differently if you really believed that you have the love, the joy, and the peace of Jesus in your heart by the Spirit?

Prayer: Father, because I am filled with all of your love, joy, and peace. Help me to live within your love, joy, and peace, just as they live in me. Amen.