Have you heard of The Gadget Show? It is a programme on Channel 5 where new devices which are being released are put through tests, and consumers are asked for their feedback on them.
The gadgets are also assessed against similar items from another brand to see how they compare. Using consumer research, the show answers such questions as:
- Which one is the best value for money?
- Which one would last the longest?
- Which one performs best?
Are you someone who loves a new gadget and can’t wait to find out how to use it and discover just what it can do? Or do you find new technology baffling and avoid it at all costs? Or maybe it’s people and their behaviour that confuses you? Perhaps you find it difficult to understand why he said this, or she did that, so avoiding such people is a strategy for getting through life in one piece! Or are you someone who loves to try new things and discover what you are capable of? Or do you prefer to stick with what you know, not wanting a new challenge that could possibly trip you up?
For many of us, navigating new situations or experiences that we don’t immediately understand can be a stressful scenario. Getting in touch with how we feel at such times might help us put ourselves in the shoes of the disciples and other followers of Jesus after his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. Throughout his life Jesus had spent time talking with his disciples, to explain to them what was going to happen. But not surprisingly the disciples didn’t really follow what was going on! Listen to these verses and consider whether you would be able to make sense of them.
‘From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.’
(Matthew 16:21-22)
‘They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”’
(Mark 10:32-34)
And then, if this isn’t all confusing enough, on top of this, Jesus shares some comforting news with his disciples – although perhaps these sayings felt more like riddles to some of them!
‘If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.’
(John 14:15-17)
‘But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.’
(John 16:7)
And so we come to the events of the Festival of Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after the Passover Festival, recorded in Acts 2:1-13 and featuring a whole ton of confusing and unbelievable events! Those present, believed to be about 120 people, heard a mighty wind and then saw what appeared to be tongues of fire resting on each other, and they began to speak in languages they did not know!
The promises of Jesus were fulfilled at Pentecost. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to his followers. It was not just to their leaders or to the most faithful, but the Holy Spirit came to all of them, taking up permanent residence in each believer. And not just the believers at Pentecost, but all believers from then on.
When we believe in Jesus Christ and are saved, we share in his death and resurrection. But it doesn’t end there. We also experience Pentecost. The Holy Spirit comes to us too, teaching us and guiding us into the truth. The Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ in us enabling us to live the life that Jesus’ death and resurrection made possible.
So much about the Christian faith can seem confusing, not least the story of Pentecost. Thankfully, following Jesus does not require us to understand everything, but to have faith and believe. We may not experience the big drama we read about, but we can invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and join in with the work he wants to do in and through us.
PRAYER
Lord God, through Christ you have given us peace that the world cannot give. Let your Spirit of truth abide with us so that we may live in hope, grow in faith, and keep your commandments of love; in the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
