Acts 2:14-16
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.
As we reflect on Pentecost, (arguably the most glorious day in Church history) we do so in remembrance of the speech made by Peter to a confounded and confused crowd of bystanders. Each of them heard the wondrous works of God in the language they best understood, from folk they knew were not familiar with that language. Basically, they all experienced what they knew was an impossible feat. And while there are several theories on what that session sounded like, and how the event transpired, no one debates that it was a miracle of epic proportions. But rather than focus on speculation and conjecture, this morning I’d love for us to take a real close look at Peter.
We must take into account the fact that Peter was not a biblical scholar, rabbi or trained teacher. Peter was a fisherman that decided to follow Jesus. And while we’re sure Jesus taught his disciples many things during his short three year ministry, there’s no reason to believe that his guys understood everything. In matter of fact, the Gospels are clear that they didn’t understand much of what Jesus preached and taught. But the infilling of the Holy Spirit gave Peter enlightenment. And in this moment of epiphany, he reached back into his memory bank and quoted from the Old Testament prophet Joel:
‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’
Now, let’s look at this real hard. Please note, the focus of Peter’s message is not the tongues, or prophecy, and not even the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. The focus is the inclusion of everyone (young, old, bond or free) in receiving the Spirit of God. Remember, heretofore, the Spirit of God fell on a select few. But this Pentecost ushered in a movement that changed the course of human history. For the first time since Adam and Eve, anyone, and everyone that called upon the Lord would be saved. Peter’s message wasn’t about religion or requirements, it was all about the grace of inclusion.
And the reason we need to focus on Peter this morning is to remind ourselves that even in times of momentary clarity (like he had), we still can misstep if we aren’t careful. This same Peter that preached so eloquently about the grace of God, had to fight with himself to finally see that this invitation was to both Jew and Gentile. Can you believe he thought it only pertained to the Jews? His cultural upbringing and religious bias just couldn’t allow him to readily accept a change so wide sweeping. For him and his people, it was colossal! So much so that many Jews refuse to accept it to this very day.
But are we any better? The irony is that very often our message of the plan of salvation also excludes, separates, and divides adherents across various religious lines. Men marginalize the calling of women. Whites denounce the ministry of blacks. Conservatives lambast Moderates. The left hates the right. Yet we all somehow think we still represent the Spirit of Christ!?! How?
As it happens, this Pentecost Sunday is also the day we’ve set aside for Communion. What a grand celebration this ought to be. But we will miss the significance of both joyous occasions if we fail to focus our attention on those unlike ourselves. Jesus made mention that Communion should be a time of remembrance of his loving service to others. Peter correctly preached the gospel of inclusion and power of The Spirit of Christ to bring parity to those traditionally outside the purview of organized religion. But now it’s our turn.
Dearest Children of God, we are blessed to have the benefit of history, the instruction of the written word and the unction of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We have endured a time like none other, with communication opportunities like none other. It’s incumbent upon us to see, serve and to say what God has uniquely positioned us to deliver. Just as Peter confirmed the prophecy of Joel, we must reiterate those same sentiments again today. Yes, this is truly that…again.
God bless
