“Happy Pentecost Sunday!”

“Happy Pentecost Sunday!”(Ez.36:22-28).
Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is derived from a Greek word meaning fiftieth. Mainline denominations commemorate this day as the day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in tongs of fire.
Pentecost is fifty days after Easter and ten days after Ascension day.
African wisdom states that one cannot dig a new road without cutting across the old one. In the same way Pentecost is an Old Testament religious Feast that Christians filled with new content.
The filling of this day with new content is neither accidental nor opportunistic. It is intentional because it was on the day of Pentecost celebration that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in fulfilnent of Jesus’ promise to the apostles that when he goes he will send the Holy Spirit to them.
According to prophet Ezekiel God had foreordained the equipping of believers with his Holy Spirit. He said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws…you will be my people, and I will be your God.”
My friend, the significant message of Pentecost is that “God’s grace is sufficient for us.”
The spirit of flesh in us and the gift of the Holy Spirit is because God wants to show the holiness of his sacred name which we have profane by our sins.
The Holy Spirit descends on us not because we are holy, but because God’s amazing grace abounds.
During baptism the minister prays, “Breathe your Holy Spirit on him…” This is in conformity with the words of God in Ezekiel that at baptism we receive the Holy Spirit. The LORD says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.”
Yes my friend,God in Christ has taken us as we are, that is called grace. But he wants us to be holy like him. He takes us as we are to make us what we ought to become. He does this so that we do not continue to profane his name!
May we allow the Holy Spirit to execute his multi-task in us for our own good and to the glory of the LORD Most High!
Pentecost prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your Spirit who enables us to obey your will. Amen!
Happy Pentecost Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
08/06/2025.