Time in the Word - Pentecost

The Advent of the Spirit
Pentecost
May 5-10, 2008

Collect for Pentecost – O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you sent upon the disciples the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, look upon your church and open our hearts to the power of the Spirit. Kindle in us the fire of your love and strengthen our lives for service in your kingdom.

Pentecost is Spirit Sunday. The promise of the Spirit is fulfilled. Two accounts tell of the fulfillment: the risen Jesus gives the Spirit on Easter; fifty days after Easter the Spirit falls on the disciples. The Epistle Lesson [Acts 2:1-21] is an explanation and description of how the Spirit came on Pentecost. The Psalm, Prayer of the Day, and Hymns all deal with the Spirit. Pentecost is not necessarily the birthday of the Church but rather it is the birthday of missions.

With the celebration of Pentecost we will move into the non-festival season of the church year. In the Pentecost season the lectionary provides three independent tracks or routes, each independent of the other two. The first lesson has a track of Old Testament readings. The Epistle deals with letters of the New Testament. The Gospels are on a third track that goes through the Gospel of Matthew.

Monday, May 5, 2008 – Psalm 104:24, 27-28, 30- This is the Psalm from which the Introit for Pentecost is taken. Our thoughts go back to the fifth and sixth days of creation when the Lord made all of the creatures of the sky, water and land. The whole creation praises the Lord for what He has made. Likewise the church breaks forth in Thanksgiving for the great things the Lord has done.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008 – Numbers 11:24-30– Promise of the Sprit. Moses had a problem there were too many people and not enough time to deal with them. Thus 70 elders are chosen to assist Moses. As proof that these men were selected by God the Spirit falls on them and the prophecy. They proclaim the works of God as the Spirit directed them.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 –Acts 2:1-21– Explanation of the promise. On Pentecost the disciples receive the Holy Spirit and Peter explains the happening. Luke gives an account of the Spirit’s coming upon the gathered disciples in Jerusalem on Pentecost accompanied by a mighty wind and tongues of fire. Then the reaction of the crowd is given — the disciples are accused of being drunk. Peter responds by explaining the experience as a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy that, at the end of the era, the Spirit would come to all. The overall purpose of the event is salvation for all who call upon God. The Spirit gave the disciples power to speak in the languages of the peoples assembled in Jerusalem, that all people might hear the gospel. This is not a case of glossolalia when the message was unintelligible except possibly to the speaker and an interpreter.

Thursday, May 8, 2008 –John 20:19-23– Fulfillment of the Promise. On Easter day the risen Christ gives the Spirit to the disciples. On the evening of Easter day, the risen Lord comes to the disciples huddled together in fear. This is John’s account of Pentecost in comparison with Luke’s account in the Epistle Lesson of the Spirit’s coming fifty days after Easter. At this time the disciple receive the Spirit, the Great Commission, and the authority to forgive sins. On this Day of Pentecost, we are primarily interested in the giving of the Spirit of Christ by his breathing on them. Contrary to Luke’s account, there are no unusual results such as speaking in various languages and preaching. John sees the Spirit as the power to go forth to proclaim the gospel and as authority to forgive.

Friday, May 9, 2008 – Psalm 25 – This Psalm is suggested for Pentecost. What do we do when we find ourselves on the receiving end of some abuse? Do we lash back? Do we attack? Do we try to defend ourselves? David when he was slandered by his enemies prayed to the God of heaven to forgive and relieve him of his heartache. Thus we are also urged to pray when we pray the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “And forgive us our trespasses…”

Saturday, May 10, 2008 –Acts 2:4 – Is the inspiration for the hymn “Come Holy Ghost God and Lord “{LSB 497}

A Prayer for the mission of the Church – Almighty God, You have called Your Church to witness that in Christ You have reconciled us to Yourself. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we may proclaim the good news of your salvation so that all who hear it may receive the gift of salvation.

A Prayer for those outside the Church – Almighty and everlasting God, You desire not the death of a sinner but that all would repent and live. Hear our prayers for those outside the Church. Take away their iniquity, turn them from their false gods to You, the living and true God. Gather them into Your holy church to the glory of Your name.

For Agriculture - Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble vocation that by Your aid we are helping to feed the world and cause all who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and respect.

A prayer for grace to receive the Word – Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.

Sources:

THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH