Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples, 120 in all, were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day of Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads.
This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel in Joel 2nd chapter. The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire.
This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day. PRAISE THE LORD!
Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of Jesus, and also the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives. Red reminds us that the Spirit testifies of Jesus, and empowers those who live for Jesus and follow His commands.
The most powerful force in the world is the love of Christ, and the Spirit rekindles that fire within us! The purpose of the Spirit is to energize the love of Christ within us.
The Spirit makes the teachings and words of Jesus alive in us. His words about forgiveness, eternal life, eternal love, that God is our loving Father. The Spirit makes the words and teachings of Jesus to become living realities in our lives.
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