The Spirit – Why?
As we approach Pentecost this year, I want to hopefully answer some questions related to the Holy Spirit. First, let me answer the question of why. Why would we still be talking about Pentecost and about the coming of the Spirit all these years later?
The simple reason is because Jesus Himself was excited to send us His Spirit. When Jesus is excited to do something in our lives, we should be excited about it too!
The Spirit Promised Throughout Scripture
It actually began before Jesus. Back in the Old Testament, there was a promise from God that He would pour out His Spirit in a powerful way.
God says in Ezekiel 36: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezekiel 36:26-27) Do you sense God's eagerness and determination to do this for His people?
The prophet Isaiah talked about it too, painting a picture of how empty life was before the Spirit: "The fortress will be abandoned, the noisy city deserted; citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland forever, the delight of donkeys, a pasture for flocks, till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest." (Isaiah 32:14-15) He was talking about the spiritual vitality and riches that can only come through the pouring out of the Spirit of God.
When Jesus came onto the scene, John the Baptist - who had been baptising people who wanted to repent and turn to God - said this to those he was baptising: "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:11-12)
Throughout Scripture there is this anticipation that God would pour out His Spirit.
A Gift for All Believers
In the Old Testament, the anointing of the Spirit was only for kings and priests and prophets. But when Jesus came, it all changed. Now God was going to pour out His Spirit on all people who believed in His Son.
You can sense the excitement continue in Jesus Himself! He said: "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13) He was getting them ready to receive this wonderful gift from God.
Then shortly before He died, Jesus told them how it would be better for Him to go so that He could send the Spirit: "Very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)
Why do we celebrate Pentecost? Because the whole Bible, and Jesus Himself, looked forward to that day with great anticipation - so that ordinary people, like you and I, could live extraordinary lives by being filled.
I want to get excited about the things that excited Jesus. I trust Him! When He says that something is going to be good for me, I say "give me some of that! Give me lots of that!"
Are you willing and excited to receive this gift of His Spirit?
From the Old Testament prophets to Jesus Himself, the whole of Scripture anticipated the coming of the Holy Spirit with great excitement. Open your heart today to receive the gift that Jesus was so eager to give.