“In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” Acts 2:11
There were many amazing aspects
to the Day of Pentecost as described in Acts 2: the sound of a mighty wind,
tongues like fire over each head, the sudden proliferation of languages. Each one of these is an over-the-top sign of
the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
But those upon whom the Spirit had come did not talk about themselves as
the recipients of this amazing gift on that glorious day. No, they immediately began to speak about
“God’s deeds of power” which were done by the Lord Jesus Christ. When Peter stood up to speak on behalf of all
of them, he started with Jesus, and he ended with Jesus. He was in tune with Paul who would later say,
“For I determined to know nothing among except Jesus Christ and him
crucified.” (1st Corinthians
2:2)
Although they
had just witnessed one of the greatest miracles of all time, Peter gave only a
brief explanation of those events and then started the main body of his talk by
saying, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to
you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs, which God did through him
in your midst….” (Acts 2:22 ) After recounting Jesus’ life, death, and
resurrection he ended with, “Let all the house of Israel
therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus
whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36 ) From beginning to end the speech was not
about Peter or the other apostles, and not even about the Holy Spirit as such,
but about Jesus who lived to proclaim the kingdom
of God
When people
experience a great event in the world of today, they are often asked what it
was like for them. Initially, the focus
is all on them, their feelings, their experiences, and their emotions. But Peter and the other apostles never told
us what it was like suddenly to hear the sound of a rushing, even violent, wind
or to have fire-like tongues over their heads.
All they wanted to talk about was Jesus, the man who had called them out
of the darkness of sin into the light of his grace. They deflected the attention of the crowds
from themselves to Jesus Christ.
Whenever the
Holy Spirit is truly present, the focus is on Jesus. It is the Spirit of Jesus that is the Holy
Spirit. In John 14:26 Jesus said, “But
the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will
teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to
you.” This is the ongoing work of the
Spirit today, to help us remember what Jesus said and teach us how to walk with
Christ. The unregenerate sinner is often
focused on himself and, if he is feeling guilty, on his load of sin. When people are filled with the Spirit of
Christ the focus shifts to the Savior himself and his amazing grace and love.
The spectacular
events of the Day of Pentecost are past.
But the work of the Spirit is ongoing in leading people to look to Jesus
for salvation and peace, to witness to Jesus among those who do not yet know
him, and to serve the needs of others in Jesus’ name. Pray today that the Holy Spirit may lead you
to a deeper appreciation of what Jesus has done for you and a greater
willingness to speak about “God’s deeds of power.”
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