May 24, 2024
Today’s Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Daily Lectionary: Numbers 27:12-23; Luke 23:26-56
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:1–6)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Can you understand what’s going on in church? Maybe something is a little confusing to you, like how come we make the sign of the cross here or why do we say this prayer here (in this case, ask your pastor! He’s always happy to answer questions.) But when I ask whether you can understand what’s going on in church, I mean do the words going into your ears sound like words you can understand? Is the language the language you speak? Does your pastor preach so you can understand it? If so, thank the Holy Spirit.
You see, God is a fan of words. That’s how He acts. He doesn’t need anything else to accomplish His purposes. In Genesis, when God created the heavens and the earth, how does He do it? He doesn’t do it like so many pagan gods do it: by defeating some enemy and making the world out of their corpse (yuck.) No, our God just speaks and it happens. Let there be light and…. There was light. Let the waters be separated…. And they were separated. This is not a power reserved for God the Father either. When Jesus rebukes demons, they must go. When Jesus commands Satan himself to depart from Him, Satan, as a creature, must bend to the will of his Creator. God’s Word is living and active, and it is all God needs to work His will.
But that Word did not stop with the early church either. That Word is still living and active today. God’s will is still done by means of the Word. By the preaching of His Word by pastors, God’s people get to know Him better. By the proclaiming of the Words of Institution, Christ’s Body and Blood are on the altar. By the words of Absolution, you are forgiven. God’s Word is living and active, in a way you can understand. Thanks be to God. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, And make our hearts Your place of rest;
Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid, And fill the hearts which You have made. (LSB 498:1)
-Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.
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