Pentecost Miracle

The greatest Pentecost miracle continues today!

When the Holy Spirit revealed himself on that first Pentecost Sunday, the people of Jerusalem witnessed dramatic miracles. They heard men speak languages they had never studied before. They heard the sound of wind rushing through that room in the temple — but there was no wind to be found. They saw what appeared to be little tongues of fire hovering over the disciples’ heads. Strange sights indeed! Incredible miracles — each indicating the special presence of God the Holy Spirit with his people!

Which of these miracles would you say was the greatest? Anyone who has attempted to learn another language will verify how amazing a miracle it was when those mostly unschooled disciples started speaking all the major languages of the world — without ever cracking a book. And the other sights and sounds were equally remarkable. But all these miracles pale in comparison with the greatest Pentecost miracle.

The greatest Pentecost miracle occurred later than all the rest. Luke includes it at the end of his account of that important day. “About three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:41). Just think of it! Three thousand people raised from death to life! Three thousand people were rescued from hell and placed in heaven! Three thousand people who were born enemies of God, were reborn as children of their heavenly Father!

Three thousand people born again through water and the Word! Three thousand people added to God’s workforce to carry out our Savior’s Great Commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”  Though the other Pentecost miracles were incredible, there was no comparison with the miracle of faith that the Holy Spirit worked through God’s Word that day.

That greatest Pentecost miracle continues today! Just think of it! When we hear and read God’s Word, the Holy Spirit bolsters and strengthens our hearts, weakened by sin. When we speak God’s Word, faltering though our speech may be, the Spirit works to bring people from death to eternal life. Instead of only living for themselves, now when children and adults hear God’s Word, the Holy Spirit gives them the power to live a God-pleasing life.

A simple splash of water used with God’s Word brings to spiritual life what had once been dead in sin. A simple morsel of bread and sip of wine when used with God’s Word creates and strengthens God’s gift of faith. We cannot recreate this miracle under our own power. We cannot scientifically explain the ins and outs of how the Holy Spirit works. But through his gift of faith, the Spirit enables us to believe it! And he continues the greatest Pentecost miracle as we use and share God’s Word and sacraments!

Look around you. See and appreciate the Pentecost miracles that the Holy Spirit is accomplishing at Epiphany, at WLS, at Shoreland, through our VBS, Family Fun Fest, among our seasoned citizens, parents, and children.

God grant that each day be one in which he repeats that greatest Pentecost miracle in us and through us to others!

Celebrating God’s miracles with you,

Pastor Michael Zarling