May 19, 2013 is the 50th day after Easter, a celebration
of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This 50th day is
known as the Day of Pentecost. On the 40th day after Jesus Christ’s
resurrection, He ascended back to heaven to sit on the right hand of God. But
before Jesus left, He told His apostles that He would send the promise of His
Father and to wait in Jerusalem until they are “…endued with power from on high”(Luke
24:49).On the 10th day, which was the 50 day after Jesus’
resurrection, about 120 followers of Jesus were praying and waiting in an upper room. When suddenly there was a
sound of a rushing mighty wind from heaven that filled the house. And there
appeared tongues of fire that sat on each of them and they were filled with the
Holy Spirit of God and began to speak in different languages. On that day there
were people from every nation under heaven. And they were able to hear in their
own languages the wonderful works of God.
This was a promise that was fulfilled and the followers
of Jesus were obedient. They waited to be filled with the Holy Spirit who empowered
them to speak in languages that they had never known before. Which teaches us
that it is impossible to do God’s work without the power of the Holy Spirit and
the obedience that goes along with it. About three thousand souls became
Christians that day which was the beginning of the Church and the Christian
Marathon (Acts 2:1-47). This was also the beginning of the ministry of Holy Spirit
that was sent from heaven to earth(John 16:7-11). On the Day of Pentecost the
Holy Spirit baptized all of the followers of Jesus Christ into the body of Christ
known as the Church. Today when someone receives Jesus Christ as their Saviour,
immediately the Holy Spirit indwells the believer and baptizes them into the
body of Christ(1Corinthians 12:13). And become a runner in the Christian Marathon.
The Christian Marathon which began with the
mighty power of the Holy Spirit over 2000 years ago is still empowering us
today. Giving us the supernatural abilities to use our spiritual gifts as we run in the spiritual marathon. As we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the anniversary
of the Christian Marathon, let us reflect back to its beginning. Everyday,
every hour, every minute and every second someone is joining the Christian
Marathon. Are you in the Christian Marathon? How long have you been running in the
spiritual race?
