Our Acts scripture begun with 120 of Jesus’ followers gathered, spiritually and physically, in Jerusalem. These followers included the eleven, Jesus’ mother and brothers, and other men AND women, who had spent ten days in conversation, praying ‘Come, Holy Spirit Come’ with increasing impatience.
But, which Holy Spirit are they praying will come…
… the calming, comforting presence;
… the driving force, the motor, that will drive the Jesus movement forward gently;
… or the wild, uncontrollable source of inspiration and action.
Suddenly, a violent wind blows through the room. WHOA!
Suddenly, tongues (or flames) of fire rest upon the 120 men AND women. WHOA!
Suddenly, this chaos grabs the attention of the crowd outside. Jews of EVERY nation. WHOA!
Suddenly, the 120 are forced from the building, into the world witnessing to Christ in word and deed. WHOA!
Suddenly, the 120 can be understood by ALL in their native languages. WHOA!
Suddenly, Peter begins to preach and 3000 in the crowd join the Jesus movement. WHOA!
Apparently, it was the wild, uncontrollable Holy Spirit of inspiration and action that arrived. The Holy Spirit that most, especially mainline traditions, are the LEAST comfortable. Read the rest of this entry »