4/18/15- The Resurrection and Fellowship

33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.  (Luke 24) 

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^a as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^b 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2)

Thoughts: When the arrest of Jesus happened, the disciples scattered.  Peter and John tried to follow, but then Peter denied knowing Jesus three times- and then went out into the night.  John managed to stay at the foot of the cross with some of the women followers.  They were gathered later in the upper room with the door locked- but even then, Thomas was out.  It was only after Jesus rose that they were brought together with a purpose.  The eleven were together when the women brought them the news of the resurrection.   The Spirit works best when the believers are together.  Pentecost came when they were "all together in one place."  When the Spirit came, it brought people together by enabling them to understand the same message in different languages.  I have often seen images of the UN assembly with different headphones and interpreters- bringing people together in their understanding.  Google translater does a similar thing.  The Resurrection and the Spirit represent the power of God over death and the power of God to help us really live.  Both events bring people together. 

There is an illusion and a false teaching that says that religion only divides.  The faith may be divisive.  Jesus even said that the faith can divide son and daughter from parents- when one has faith and another does not.  Even churches can divide and bicker.  But the ideal of God is that the church be alive and united.  Without the resurrection- there would be no alive or gathered church.  Without the Spirit there would be no alive or gathered church either.

Prayer: Lord, may our faith in you, the living Lord, and the power of the resurrection and Spirit give us life and keep us united in you.