Pentecost. The Coming Down Of The Holy Spirit.

   As the time of compassion drew near when God wanted to fulfill his promise and have mercy on the lost human race, he sent his Word, who was in and with God in the beginning. By means of his messenger Gabriel, he sent Word to a virgin whom he had previously chosen. As soon as she believed, she was sealed with the Holy Spirit. Then she was told, “Power from on high will overshadow you, and the Holy Spirit will come down from above into you. Therefore, the Holy One who is to be born of you shall be called the Son of God. (Excerpt from Peter Riedemann’s Hutterite Confession of Faith)

 We can imagine how blessed Mary felt to have born Jesus, the Son of the Living God! How amazing that must have been to carry the maker of the universe inside her!

 But 33 years later mankind brutally beat, and ridiculed her beloved son Jesus, murdering him with the most agonizing and cruel death they could devise by nailing Him to a cross and mocking him till he breathed his last. But Jesus defeated death, leaving his mankind in the carved out, rocky tomb, and arising victorious. Before he left earth for his heavenly home he made a promise: He promised to send  down his Holy Spirit from above into us, to dwell in us. If we but receive his gift we can have the Spirit of God living inside us, guiding us and providing comfort and wisdom. Unbelievable passion to want to be part of the very creatures he created! 

 But unlike the Virgin Mary, whom after a short while bore the fruit of the Holy Spirit in a stable in Bethlehem with the baby Jesus, we get to house the presence of the Holy Spirit in the temple of our bodies. Imagine, our earthly body a living temple to the Creator God! We are never more alone or afraid, for in us radiates the power, love, and comfort of a mighty God who spoke the whole universe into existence with merely a word! Who loves us so thoroughly and personally that he sent his Son down to us, to inhabit human form and live according to our human conditions, knowing full well that he would be rejected and killed, but knowing also that it was the only way to reconcile man to God.

 So how grand we build that temple, or not, to his Holy Presence is up to us. The natural outworkings of our human condition are fleshly and manifest themselves as described in Galatians Chapter 5: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. 

 I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Eins Betrübt Mich Sehr Auf Erden.

One thing grieves me beyond measure,

That so few will enter heaven,

Oh, just where should I begin,

There’s so many people dying,

The Son of God they are denying,

Leaving earth, bound fast to sin.

Everywhere, in every nation,

Men live in retaliation,

From across all walks of life,

Few are those who gain salvation 

Most are striding to perdition. 

Oh, what are the reasons why?

It’s not hard to see the answer

Man is full of hate and envy, 

In a life that denies God,

Indulging their inner vices,

Just as if they didn’t cognize,

Heavens road is oh so small. 

Pride and self-glorification, 

Boasting and self-adoration,

Greed takes over more and more,

As the self fights for attention

Do we even want redemption?

Is that the way the heavens door?

Throwing banquets, eating, drinking,

Playing, dancing, fleshly thinking,

Living in the moment bold,

Can that be the path to heaven,

Then it’ll be to slight the faithful,

Surely this will not work so. 

People make no qualms of lying, 

What’s more commonplace than cheating, 

Just as if it were okay,

He who does right, he is losing,

Dishonesty ends up winning,

Greed and money pave the way.

Oh how common cussing, swearing,

Blaspheming God in heaven,

Don't the children know that well?

‘Tis no wonder, that corruption, 

Young and old die in destruction, 

Heading down the path of Hell.

Stealing honour from another,

Spiting, envy, and dishonour, 

Isn’t that now common place?

Finger pointing, accusations,

Repeating false allegations,

More and more, that is the case.

What do we hold more important, 

Than exerting every effort

Gathering material goods.

Gold and silver, rare held treasures,

Harm our spirit without measure

Loved and sought out by the world.

Those who take others possessions, 

Will in fear and pain be sweating 

Eternal in the fires of hell.

Even though so many know this,

Stand accused before their conscience,

Yet they do not seem to care. 

Who seeks virtue, wisdom, morals?

Look how far the youth has fallen,

Where is trust, humility?

Those who seek to follow Jesus,

Mocked, ridiculed, and mistreated,

Persecuted constantly. 

My child, turn and follow Jesus,

Look at what he taught and showed us,

What his deeds and actions were.

He, the truth, way, life, forever,

Follow him, you’ll make no error,

That’s the best advice for you.

Brotherly love is fundamental, 

Without it we’re barred from heaven, 

Love God with your heart and soul.

If we show love to another

We will never grieve our brother,

We will also not grieve God.

Keeping reins upon our passions,

Curbing evil wants and habits,

If we seek eternal life.

Those who seek a life of pleasure,

Will not find a place in heaven,

Stand in judgement when they die.

Poverty and will to suffer,

Bravely facing persecution, 

That's food for the chosen few,

Praising God, strong hearts so faithful,

Suffer willing all that’s painful,

Blessed who learns this virtue.

Do you want to follow Jesus,

Oh, so live a life that’s righteous, 

Seek out the minority,

Once this poor, short life is over

God will give you one eternal,

Greet you into royalty.

So my friend, so let it happen,

Come what may, I will be ready, 

As God wants, so it will be.

Lord, please be my guide and shepherd, 

In my thoughts, my words and actions,

And through your love, grant me mercy.