PENTECOST SUNDAY- YEAR-A
I Reading: Acts 2:1-11: They were all filled with the Holy
Spirit, and began to speak.
II
Reading: 1 Cor: In the one Spirit we were baptised.
Gospel: John 20:19-23: The Great Charter of the Church-Jesus
Appears to the Disciples
The Great Charter of the Church-Jesus Appears to the Disciples
Today
we celebrate the second most solemn day in the year of worship: the feast of
Pentecost. The disciples meet the risen Christ on the same day at the evening
and the risen Jesus serves his disciples.
The
word “Pentecost” is a Greek word
which means “the 50th”, in our case, “the 50th day”: for
the Jews it meant the 50th day after the feast of the Passover. For us
Christians, it means the feast that comes
on the 50th day after Easter.
This
was the first appearance of Jesus to His disciples as a group after His
resurrection. What would He say and talk about? What would be the topic of
conversation and the subjects covered? Whatever He chose to say would be of
critical importance. It is this that John focuses upon: the subjects and the
topics discussed when Jesus first appeared to the disciples.
1.
The disciples were hiding in fear (v.19): They were locked up and the doors
were shut which means they were protected by God.
a. Was the same day: at night
b. Discussed reports
c. Jesus appeared suddenly
2.
Subject 1: The risen Lord-His presence was very real (v.19-20)
a. His message: Peace: The
resurrected Jesus brings real peace and joy upon the fearful disciples. It is the
reconciling peace that the world cannot give them except the Lord.
b. His wounds: Evidence: The
real presence of Jesus Christ
c. His effect: Unbelievable
joy and gladness when they saw Him
3.
Subject 2: The great commission (v.21): The disciples/Church has been given the
power and authority to proclaim the forgiveness of sins of the sinners. Penitents
need repentance and conversion to come back to the Lord.
4.
Subject 3: The Holy Spirit (v.22-23): The resurrected Jesus breathed on them as
a sign of giving new life, new Spirit, new creation as the Lord God ‘breathed
into man’s nostrils the breath(the Spirit) of Life(Genesis 2:7); and Ezekiel
37:9, breathe into these slain and they shall live’ (the vision of the Dry
Bones).
The
Spirit of God and the same Spirit of Jesus Christ is going to guide them and
teach them everything; and finally empowering them with courage and strength to
proclaim the Good News of Jesus to all. The Spirit-filled Church has the
authority to continue the fourfold ministry of assurance, mission, the Holy
Spirit and authority to His people today.
Do
we open our doors of hearts and minds to enter Jesus into our lives to receive the
real peace and joy of the risen Lord?
How
do we experience the loving presence and protection of the Lord during the Pandemic
lockdown Coronavirus Covid-19?
Thought: The disciple
is sent forth to proclaim and bear witness to the salvation of God. The
disciple is the prophet and witness of the living Lord.
· Christ is the Way; the disciple points the Way.
· Christ is the Truth; the disciple proclaims the Truth.
· Christ is the Life; the disciple shares the Life.
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