Under the training pf Christ the disciples had been led to feel their need of the Spirit. Under the Spirit's teaching, they received the final qualification, and went forth to their life work. No longer were they ignorant and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of independent units of discordant, conflicting elements. No longer were their hopes set on worldly greatness. They were of "one accord," "of one heart and of one soul" (Acts 2:46, 4:32). Christ filled their thoughts; the advancement of His kingdom was their aim. In mind and character they had become their Master, and men "took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (Reflecting Christ, pg. 42).
You would think that after spending 3 and a half years with Jesus, the training of the disciples would have been complete. But even after all that time--even after having lived with Christ for those 3 years--they weren't ready to finish God's work.They didn't understand Christ's mission or what His kingdom was all about.
They should have known. Christ had told them in many ways. "Blessed are the poor in Spirit," He said, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Jesus said "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). But the disciples continued to look forward to an earthly kingdom. They dreamed of national greatness, when the glory of Israel would be restored. They wanted freedom from the Romans, not freedom from sin.
And yet, they came to Jesus--to be with Him and to join in His work. They brought their "cups" for Him to fill, without realizing how much they were holding back. Now before you shake your head, thinking "How could they be so slow?" think of your own track record. We choose to follow Jesus. But we often give Him only a piece of our heart, thinking all the while that we've made a full surrender. We don't know how to trust Him with everything. We're afraid of what it might mean or what He might ask us to do.
Like those early disciples, we need the Spirit's anointing to see what we need most. We need the constant presence of Jesus in our lives. And only the Holy Spirit can make that happen. He is the vital presence of God. Through the Spirit, Jesus lives in us. Through this one gift, He walks more closely with us than if we could walk with Him in person!
Pentecost made the difference for the 1st disciples of Christ. At Pentecost, the disciples pressed closer into God's presence. They humbled their hearts, confessed their unbelief and prayed with an intensity that couldn't be quenched. Day and night, they were consumed with one thought--that Christ would live in their hearts through faith. And the Spirit came in answer to their prayers. His presence burned in their lives. Thousands were converted in a day. The gospel was carried to the world in a single generation!
Do we need a Pentecost today? Pentecost is God's answer for a lack of harmony in our homes and churches. The Spirit brings unity. Pentecost is God's answer for why we continue to fall into sin, again and again. The Spirit brings victory. We need Pentecost today. It is God's answer to completing His work in our lives.
My Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven, oh how I need Your Spirit in my life! I am so slow of heart to believe all that You have said and so destitute of Your presence in my life. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I need Him more than any other gift. For I want the life that only He can bring. I want to walk with You and for everyone to tell that I too have been with Jesus! In His name, I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment