Pentecost Sunday Ahead
These are two of the texts appointed for Ascension Day, observed this year on May 25th.
Acts 1:[1-5] 6-9 [10-11]
Luke 24:44-53
I think we often “romanticize” this part of the Gospel story, if we don’t forget it totally. If the latter is what happens, we skip from resurrection right over to Pentecost. I suspect there are some who never get beyond the Resurrection.
The event in both of these readings [by the same author by the way] gives us a complete picture of Jesus’ mission and purpose according to God the Father’s plan. The apposition of these readings allow for a comparison/contrast of the readings, yet, depending on in what order you read these, the details of one gives an explanation/expansion of the other.
Luke’s “clothed with power from on high” is interpreted for us in Acts 1:8a, with the words, “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” The continuing mission is given fullness by combining the information from both texts: “that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:7-8) and “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8b-9).
These are not just ancient literature and this is not purely ancient romantic myth and story. This is the mission of God [missio dei]. The “power from above” “when the Holy Spirit comes upon you” is not some esoteric way of describing the enthusiasm displayed at Pentecost. This is a real event. This is a real phenomenon. This is the real action of Jesus’ promise from the Gospels.
It does not fall upon the first century disciples alone. It is our receiving as well. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit t out into and beyond our community “to the ends of the earth.” That is the first century disciples mission, that is the 21st century disciples mission. That is our mission.
This preface to Acts, 1:1-11, sets the tone for the next 29 chapters. As we will discover as we journey through the pages of Acts, the Holy Spirit is the driving force behind the proclamation and deeds of the apostles. More importantly, it creates expectations about how the story will communicate about the nature of the truth it puts forth. We are chapter 29. How will the chapter read?
Ascension Day Prayer
Almighty God, your only Son was taken into the heavens and in your presence, intercedes for us. Receive us and our prayers for all the world, and in the end, bring everything into your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
God bless,
Pastor Kent
Reading Ahead
Sundays’ Narrative Lectionary Readings
THE TOPIC OF PSALMS (5 WEEKS):
- June 11, Pentecost 2: Psalm 100; John 1:14-17
- June 18, Pentecost 3: Psalm 13; John 6:35-40
- June 25, Pentecost 4: Psalm 23; John 10:1-4
- July 2, Pentecost 5: Psalm 30; John 6:67-69
- July 9, Pentecost 6: Psalm 150; John 4:24-26
A STUDY OF EPHESIANS (4 WEEKS):
- July 16, Pentecost 7: Ephesians 1:1-14; John 14:25-27
- July 23, Pentecost 8: Ephesians 2:11-22; Matt 28:16-20
- July 30, Pentecost 9: Ephesians 4:1-16; John 15:1-4
- August 6, Pentecost 10: Ephesians 6:10-20; Matt 10:28-3