Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of Jesus, our Savior. This weekend there is a lot of attention on Memorial Day. It is not a mere day off from work or start of summer. We set aside time to remember those who gave their lives in defense of freedom in our country and around the world. But don’t overlook that tomorrow, May 28 is Pentecost Sunday. Come be with us as we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives.
On May 28, Pentecost, we will be following the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Three beginning on page 184 in the LSB hymnal. Hymns chosen for the day are #605 Father Welcomes; #500 Creator Spirit By Whose Aid; and #693 O Holy Spirit Grant Us Grace. Those present for communion will sing #616 Baptismal Waters Cover Me during the distribution.
Scripture texts for this year’s Pentecost celebration are Psalm 25:1-10; Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21; and John 7:37-39.
Psalm 25 is a psalm of David. It is also an acrostic psalm, organized by the first letter of each verse corresponding to the order of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In Psalm 25 King David is waiting for God to take action in his behalf. In the verses we will be reading, David asks God for victory over enemies, and for instruction so that he might walk in the way of the Lord. We still need spiritual instruction from God. Without the Spirit we would not recognize God’s will, or be able to follow it.
The events of Numbers 11 took place during the ancient nation of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness after their release from slavery in Egypt. The people quickly forgot the freedom God had given them and instead complained about the difficult travel and lack of food. Moses their earthly leader received the brunt of their complaining, and he cried out to God for relief. God instructed Moses to choose 70 leaders to assist him. And God promised to put His Spirit upon these leaders that they would share some of Moses’ leadership burdens. For a brief time these men prophesied as evidence of the Spirit coming upon them. Two others, not part of the 70, also began to prophesy. A messenger ran to Moses to tell him about these two, supposing Moses would be jealous and upset that they too had received the Spirit. Instead, Moses expresses his desire that all people would lead and speak by the power of the Holy Spirit. We too should pray that all people would live under the direction of the Holy Spirit, guided and motivated to speak the word of God in whatever other vocations we might serve.
In Acts 2, the gospel writer and author of Acts, Doctor and Saint Luke reports on the events that took place during the Pentecost festival 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection. Pentecost (also called the Feast of Weeks) was one of the harvest festivals required under the Old Testament, 50 days after Passover. But Pentecost was given new significance as the Holy Spirit is poured out in a very obvious way. The Spirit is constantly working to bring about a harvest of believing souls. The Spirit, one of the three eternal Persons of the Trinity, has been active in the affairs of mankind since the time of creation. But Jesus, before His crucifixion, had told the disciples that He would send the Spirit to be their Helper, Comforter, and Advocate in a bigger way. The Spirit continues to help, comfort and advocate for us. He is sometimes called the silent God, for He does not draw attention to Himself but instead points to the saving work of Jesus. Through the gospel promises the Spirit transforms us and works faith in us. He sanctifies us, that is, He declares us holy before God and leads us to do holy works. The Third Articles of the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed summarize what Scripture reveals about the work of the Spirit. I encourage you to take time to review the Third Article of these Creeds, and consider Luther’s explanation of each.
In Chapter 7 of the gospel of John, the apostle reports that Jesus had discreetly arrived in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Booths (another Festival required under the Old Testament). In Jerusalem Jesus began to preach in the temple. People were amazed at His teaching and some began to ask whether He might be the Christ promised by God. But many others accused Him of being from the devil. Pharisees attempted to have Jesus arrested. On the last day of the week-long festival, Jesus gives a promise to send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is described as living water who will satisfy those who thirst. The Spirit was poured out on Pentecost, after Jesus was glorified in His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. As we thirst for a right relationship with God and relief from guilt, the Spirit points us to the promises and saving work of Jesus.
Collect:
O gracious God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit: Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ Jesus, Your Son, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You, in communion with the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, or questions about the Scripture readings for this week. God bless you. Pastor Boster
