Pentecost Sunday - Acts 2:1-11
Lectionary Sketch of the Week
Acts 2:1-11
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| Holy Pentecost (Watercolor, Ink and Gold Leaf Composite, 4"x6"), 2017 |
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, 'Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.'"
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016), Ac 2:1–11.
The disciples are soon amazed by the thunderous sound of rushing wind. The Spirit looses their tongues to speak of the great victory won by Jesus' cross and resurrection. Pentecost is the special arrival of the Spirit that Jesus promised. This week, I have done a small watercolor and ink image. The Spirit dives into the midst of apostles with power (I was reminded of this image and reflection while thinking about the text this week. Here is my source image for the dove). The apostles look up in awe. Before them is the world to which they are being sent. The descent of the Spirit on Pentecost is for the sake of proclaiming Jesus to the world. The twisted tongues of Babel have been loosed. The one Gospel that Jesus is the one Savior of the world is being delivered to all people beginning at Jerusalem on Pentecost Sunday.
