June 9, 2003
Yesterday was the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church. Luke’s account begins in the book of Acts chapter 2. It is a bewildering yet compelling record, too often confused in modern minds by a misunderstanding of the word tongues as used in verse 4. It is much clearer in the newer translations using languages in that verse. Reading a lot like modern science fiction, it goes like this, "And suddenly from heaven came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the spirit gave them ability."
The record goes on describing the hearers, devout Jews from every nation. They were bewildered because each understood the words as spoken in their native language. Then they questioned how could this be, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?…speaking about God’s deeds of power."
Contemplate the word Galileans. It describes the historical situation exactly. But it is more than history; it is a challenge for us as well. How often do we dismiss truth because of where it comes from? If it’s true it’s of God. Now of course all things we are told are true may not be, but if it is ultimately proven to be true it is of God.
But is it even more important to realize that we are all Galileans, wherever we come from and whatever our status in life. Yet we who believe have the opportunity and necessity to speak and live out the message that God is Love. "He who loves is born of God and knows God and he who does not love does not know God." (1st John 4:7-8) And we must walk the talk. In that old hymn, "There is a Balm in Gilead" one line says, "if you can’t preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, you can tell the love of Jesus and say, ’He died for all’ " I say again, the telling must be more than verbal. We must live out the love in all our actions in life. And if we mess up, acknowledge this isn’t the Jesus requirement, accept God’s forgiveness, get up, and live out his love. Sure our knees will be bruised, but go on.
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