O, That They All Could

One of our readings today, the Day of Pentecost - when the church celebrates the Holy Spirit being poured out in a new way in the church, showed the relationship between us and God. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given to the prophets and those that spoke on God’s behalf. One of our Scripture readings today dealt with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the leaders of the God’s people while they were in the wilderness. The Holy Spirit was taken from Moses and split up between the 70 men. They met on the outskirts of the community and began to prophesy. Two of these men hadn’t gone out with the others and so were prophesy within the community. Someone told Joshua, who told Moses of the two men that were prophesying elsewhere. Joshua told Moses to quiet them, but I love his response. Are you so jealous for me that you would silence them? I wish that all people (were filled with the Holy Spirit) could prophesy. Today, we have leaders and members who want to be in control. Maybe it is the Pastor that feels people must follow his every desire. Maybe it is a big financial giver that feels their voice is more important than others. Maybe it is the person who has an agenda that they feel everyone else should follow. Moses isn’t concerned about himself or his recognition. When he sees the Holy Spirit poured out on so many, he realizes the benefits of more people teaching God’s word. Now imagine when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost what the possibilities were. The prophesying wasn’t outside the camp but proclaimed to large crowds that were in the city that week. Along with the gifts of the Holy Spirit were the fruit of the Spirit for all which was love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. There were also given, as the Holy Spirit chose, the manifestation of the Spirit, the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, miraculous powers, distinguishing between spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. So what is holding us back from being the church God called us to be? O Holy Spirit, You have given these gifts so that Your church might grow in faith and obedience. Fill to overflowing. Amen