Pentecost Sunday (23 May) is “birth of the church” as the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 followers of Jesus in the Upper Room and anointed them for Christ’s mission of the church. We celebrate Pentecost Sunday (Whitsun)on the 50th day from Easter Sunday.
Pentecost also refers to the Jewish festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after First Fruits, also known as the “Feast of Weeks”. This is what Jesus, the First Fruit, had done. He presented Himself to Father God. There will be more fruits to follow. We too will be resurrected one day and spend our eternity with God. Thank You, Lord Jesus! What a blessed hope!
Let us hear and be inspired by what John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, once prayed: “I continue to dream and pray about a revival of holiness in our day that moves forth in mission and creates authentic community in which each person can be unleashed through the empowerment of the Spirit to fulfil God’s creational intentions.”
Awesome God, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon Your people afresh this season as we recall and celebrate Pentecost Sunday. May Your fire cleanse us from all that is displeasing to You. Empower us to be Your faithful witnesses, to walk closely with You and manifest Your gifts and signs to those who believe and rise to fulfil the destiny You have for us.
Amen+