Pentecost

This Sunday marks Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2. This happened during the Feast of Pentecost, a celebration of the Jewish people which occurs "seven weeks after the second Passover seder". This Jewish celebration, known as Shavout, commemorates the "giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai" or what Christians understand as The Law (Ten Commandments) given to Moses. As Believers in Christ, Pentecost for us celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit, promised to come after Jesus' resurrection and ascension into heaven. Because humanity can never keep the law perfectly, God rescues us. Grace through Jesus completes us, restores us, and reconciles us to God in a way the law could not.

[Jesus said to His disciples] “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what He promised…in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5 NLT

After the resurrection, Jesus remains for forty days, appearing to the apostles and teaching the disciples. With a certainty of Jesus’ resurrection, their knowledge increases and a deeper understanding about the new promised power of the Holy Spirit evolves. At the end of these days, on the Mount of Olives at Bethany, Jesus ascends to heaven right in front of the remaining eleven disciples. Commissioned with making disciples of all nations, they now wait for the Holy Spirit.

Over the next days, the disciples continually meet and pray together with the other believers, “about 120”. They choose another disciple, Matthias, to replace Judas Iscariot, the betrayer. On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks (50 days) after the resurrection of Jesus, with all the believers together in one place, God sends a mighty, rushing wind comes and then “flames of fire” appear and settle on each believer. All are filled with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling prophesy (Joel 2:28-32). The church of the New Covenant begins with God’s mission to reach all people in all nations.

Spirit of the Living God ~ When I boast of achievement and accept applause or cover my face in failure and weep, You re-define me, re-align my perspective. You open my eyes to truth, to my need for redemption, to Christ who is the Bread of Life. You are Counselor and Comforter. You are the breath my soul craves! Kindle my soul with Holy Fire. ~dho

Telling the Story - Part 2

 He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly from the tomb and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead ...So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples." Matthew 28:6-8 ESV

Christ's death on the cross shouts of miraculous events from darkness to the tearing of the Temple's curtain in the Holy of Holies, from an earthquake to people rising from the dead. The Roman officer and soldiers at the crucifixion, "were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, 'Truly, this was the Son of God!'" (Mt: 27:54)  Religious leaders who were secret followers of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, boldly ask Pilate for the body of Jesus for proper burial. From Friday until Sunday, fear dominates the hearts and minds of Jesus' own disciples. On Sunday the message of the angel, "He is risen!", echoes in the empty tomb.

All four Gospels speak of the empty tomb, of angels, of the resurrection of Jesus. First to learn of the resurrection are the women who come to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body for burial. In John's account (chapter 20) Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene in the garden. Jesus joins the two returning to Emmaus, both are disillusioned that Jesus has been crucified. As they walk together, Jesus explains the Scriptures and prophecies about the Messiah. Invited to eat with them, they recognize Jesus when He blesses the bread. They hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. Jesus appears to the disciples who are in hiding in fear, greeting them, "Peace be with you." The angels' message to go and tell that Jesus is risen from the dead spreads throughout the region.

Jesus remains on earth for 40 days after His resurrection. Initially, the story of His resurrection sounds absurd and hard to believe, but the Good News of Jesus' victory over death changes doubt into wonder and fear into joy! Jesus teaches the disciples, opening their minds to the the Scriptures that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. He reminds them the Holy Spirit will soon come and empower them. This message of forgiveness and everlasting life are for all people. These followers of Jesus, these witnesses of a risen Savior begin to tell the story of resurrection and hope! This story of extravagant love still brings grace today. ~dho

Telling the Story - Part 1

 The Religious leaders told the Roman soldiers: "You are to say, 'His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.'" Matthew 28:13NASB

The gospel message in Christian theology recognizes two important truths: Christ died for our sins, and Christ was raised from the dead on the third day. Both are integral truths that must be accepted in order to embrace Christianity. Historical evidence is confirmed by witnesses and the Scriptures. The crucifixion of Jesus leads to death and death to burial; Christ's absence from the grave and eye-witnesses reveal His resurrection. The New Testament's four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) have 5 chapters and nearly 150 verses that are dedicated to Jesus' life on earth after death which includes some forty days after His resurrection. About this time, there are two stories; one is false, the other is true.

In Chapter 28:11-15, Matthew records one story. Upon the discovery that Jesus' grave is empty, the Roman soldiers who were to guard the tomb hurry to the Religious leaders, telling them the body is gone! Desperate to maintain their political power and religious influence, they give "a large sum of money to the soldiers" and create a story for them to tell. Despite the story's weakness, they promise the guards to cover for them should Pilate catch wind of the happenings. The soldiers agree, take the money, and begin to spread the cover-up story. The story becomes widely spread among the Jews, "and is to this day." (Matthew 28:15).

When did the soldiers leave the tomb? Were they frightened when the stone rolls away and Jesus appears? Maybe the shiny, bright angels make them flee? We don't know the specifics of their situation, except that the body of Jesus is missing, and they know their lives are on the line. Historically, Roman guards could be executed for falling asleep while on assignment. Whether out of fear or greed, the soldiers accept the bribe, and they tell the story!

The Religious leaders certainly react to their own fears. What if this Jesus is the Messiah? Will others believe He is the Son of God? Those soldiers say the body is missing, so what will we do if the people choose to believe in Jesus? What about our reputations? By creating a conspiracy story, these chief priests agree to helpthe soldiers, but in reality they are protecting themselves. Power and greed, or at least the need to feel powerful and benefit from greediness, fuel many bad decisions. So, they also tell the story of Jesus' disciples coming to the grave in the dark of night and stealing His body. The story still circulates today.** -dho

** next week: Telling the Story - Part 2 ... another version!

Witnesses and Testimonies

Jesus said, " it is written that, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day, ... You are witnesses of these things." Luke 24:46-48

Numerous and reliable historical records, both religious and secular, speak of Christ's resurrection. Biblically, the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) which were written 20-30 years afterwards, and the Gospel of John (50-70 years after) list many witnesses to this supernatural event. The book of Acts and Paul's writings also make references to witnesses. Details in Luke come from "the early disciples and other eyewitnesses". In contrast to the rumors of the disciples stealing Jesus' body and bribes that the Chief Priests pay the guards to pass along this story, God carefully crafts official records of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection making sure accurate historical evidence remains.

Of the many eyewitnesses, there are angels, Mary Magdalene, the disciples, the two on the road to Emmaus, and other believers. During the forty days after His resurrection, Jesus shows himself to the apostles "by many convincing proofs...speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:2-3)  They ate with Him, touched Him, listened to Him teach. According to John 20:30-31, "Jesus' disciples saw Him do many other miraculous signs besides the ones recorded in this book. But these were written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life." John's testifies, "This is that disciple who saw these events and recorded them here. (John 21:24)

From the Scriptures we know that Jesus' brothers did not believe (John 7:3-5) until after His death. Through Paul's writings we know that Jesus appears to His brother James, who later becomes head of the Jerusalem church. In 1 Corinthians 15:6 Paul notes that "more than 500 of His followers" witness Jesus after the crucifixion. And the final eyewitness to Christ's resurrection is Saul on the road to Damascus to persecute Christians.(Acts 9:1-19) The zealous Pharisee with a history of violent persecution of Christians is renamed Paul. When reason doubts and culture discounts even the possibility of resurrection, history's eyewitnesses establish a detailed archive that prevails for more than 2,000 years.

So what stands today as evidence of Jesus' resurrection besides words on paper? We are the proof! The Holy Spirit sent by the living Christ dwells within each believer. With our testimonies of redemption and everlasting life to come, we become the spiritual witnesses of a resurrected Messiah, contemporary vessels of His Presence. The living Christ embodies the hope and peace and love we find by believing in Him. The resurrection is an integral truth of Christianity, a truth confirmed by eyewitnesses. ~dho

Burning Within the Soul, A Knowing

 “The Lord is risen indeed,…” Luke 24:34 NASB

On the way to Emmaus Jesus teaches the two, Cleopas and the other, recounting the accounts of Moses, the Prophets. Jesus reminds them what the Holy Scriptures reveal about the Messiah. Coming near the village, the two invite their companion to stay for the night. As they sit down to a meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to them. Immediately their eyes are open; they know Jesus, and He vanishes. For the first time they recognize the risen Christ. In the breaking of bread they are renewed by the Living Bread, both in amazement and joy and with a new spiritual hunger.

Blackaby writing about spiritual memory and how important it is to a Christian’s faith walk says, “A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you.” After Jesus vanishes, the two recall, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Recognizing Jesus reveals the burning within their souls, the revelations of the Scriptures. This spiritual marker prompts their response. “So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Peter!” These two not only proclaim their belief in the resurrection of Jesus, but confess their previous doubt about the messages earlier that day. The presence of Jesus stirs the soul and sears the heart with a holy passion and sacred hunger that requires compelling action. 

“Lord, always give us this bread”. For You mark me with a holy fire, a passion of knowing love and a desire to share this love. Sometimes I am like the father with the sick son who said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Help me not to doubt. Kindle my soul, again and again! – dho

Maundy Thursday 2026 - Living Bread - The Last Supper

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35                                                                                    

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

Jesus, reclining at the table with the apostles said, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16 NASB

This would be the last Passover Jesus would eat with His disciples. In fact, the blood sacrifice of Jesus the next day would transform the Passover celebration of redemption forever. Those who recline with Jesus do not understand that the suffering will come in the form of the cross. Those who rest beside him do not realize the implication of “never again”. Only one, the betrayer, keeps a secret, and even he does not understand God’s plan.

In this room, Jesus celebrates tradition and, at the same time, creates a new way. While the apostles relax in this time together, Jesus contemplates the emotional betrayal, the physical suffering, the mental agony he must endure. Jesus knows the cost of grace; yet, He expresses great joy in sharing this intimate time together. God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

Jesus, I try to see myself in this room, reclining at the table, listening to Your words. Forgive my preoccupation with my personal agenda because I completely miss the big picture. Forgive my careless ways of not noticing the suffering of another. Forgive my failure to recognize the Passover Lamb before me. As I ask, “Lord, always give us this bread”, open my eyes! – dho

Focus Point: God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

All rights reserved; copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt/Christian blogger and author “Kindled Soul, Holy Fire” Lenten devotions/prayers