“Happy Pectecost Day!”

“Happy Pentecost Day!”(Jn.14:23-37).
We become “a new creation in Christ not only by spiritual rejuvenation but also because in Christ old things are become new. Christ has filled old containers with new content.
Today, Pentecost Day, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus had asked his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the Father’s promised gift of the Holy Spirit. The disciples received power from the Holy Spirit to become witnesses of Christ’s redemptive works(Acts 1:4-8).
On Pentecost, we are not only commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit; we are celebrating the anniversary of the beginning of the universal church of Christ. On this day, the Church was born.
God used Pentecost, an old Jewish Festival, and transformed it into the birthday of the Church of Christ worldwide.
Pentecost comes fifty days after Easter.
Pentecost was an ancient Jewish agricultural festival called Shavuot(the Feast of weeks). It was celebrated fifty days after Passover – which became our Easter.
Whatever miracle happened on that particular Pentecost day marked the beginning of the Church and its mission to the world(cf.Acts 2:14-41).
The core message for today is that the Holy Spirit is for the whole world, but he is given to individuals on condition:
Jesus says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever…”
Again, he says, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”
My friend, as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, retrospectively check whether you love Jesus and obey his commands?
The truth is that if you do not love someone, you wouldn’t obey him.
To those who love Jesus and obey his teaching, the Holy Spirit, sent from the Father in Jesus’ name will teach them all things and also remind them of everything about the saving works of Christ and his teachings.
Christ leaves us with his peace. He gives it to us; not as the world gives. People of the world say “peace be with you,” with hearts full of hate towards you! The peace that Christ offers passes human understanding. Such peace can only be the work of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, let us show our love for Christ by obeying his teaching so that the Holy Spirit will be there to constantly teach us and to remind us of that which we have forgotten.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” because Christ and the Father are with you through the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost prayer: Holy Spirit, help me daily to show my love to Christ by obeying his teaching. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you! Happy Pentecost Sunday!
Rev Babila Fochang.
24/05/2026.