This weekend the Christian Church celebrates Pentecost! At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christian Church fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. In many regards, Pentecost marks the beginning of the Christian Church. So, you could say that Pentecost is really the birthday celebration of Jesus’ church!

What actually happened on Pentecost? We read the account of Pentecost in the Book of Acts chapter two, "And when the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place." (Acts 2:1) Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit came, "like a strong wind." Peter preached that day as the disciples were equipped to deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to His church. Pilgrims heard about Jesus for the first time. The message was simple. Peter proclaimed, "Repent and be baptized," in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God's church grew 3,000 that first Pentecost! 

God's Word tells us this, "I will make all things new." (Revelation 21:5)  God accomplished this when He sent His Son Jesus to restore the covenant that His Children of Israel had broken. God took the old practice of the sacrifice of the Passover lamb and gave it new meaning! On the night before Jesus was to die to atone for the sins of the entire world, Jesus gave the Passover meal new meaning! Jesus took the simple elements of the meal, the bread and wine and said, "Take and eat this is my body. Take and drink this is my blood of the NEW COVENANT which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins!" No longer would this simply be a meal of remembrance. This meal would be a NEW MEAL OF FORGIVENESS! Jesus became "The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!"  

God fulfills His promise of love through His Son, Jesus. Because of the work of Jesus, God now claims you as His beloved child! Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. God continues to fulfill His promise of His love for you as He sends you His Holy Spirit TODAY!  The Holy Spirit works through God's Word and in His sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to create saving faith and to grow us in our faith today! 

So, as you can see, Pentecost is a pretty big deal! We celebrate that all the promises of God find their “YES” in Jesus Christ! Jesus gives you His Spirit to draw you to Himself! Pentecost is all about God's people coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Come, Holy Spirit make our hearts your place of rest!

Celebrating the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Maske