“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1.8
A quick Google search told me that the Holy Spirit is mentioned several hundred times in the New Testament alone depending on which translation you read. The Holy Spirit, or the Spirit, is the Spirit of God the Father and God the Son. It’s the power of God, the aspect of God we experience on earth.
Tons have been written about the Spirit, the gifts which he offers, the ways which he empowers, enriches and encourages God’s people to bring about the Kingdom of God. I’ve noticed that whenever people begin to talk about the Spirit, they begin to experience his power afresh in their lives.
Some of Jesus last words on earth were about imparting his Spirit to God’s people. He says this in the book of Acts after he’s been raised from the grave and before he ascends to the Father in Heaven. Jesus says, “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” He had already experienced this power in his own life, in his baptism and even before, and now Jesus was telling what would happen for his believers. And with this Spirit God’s people would be Jesus’ “witnesses in all Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
The purpose of the Spirit isn’t for us to feel good or to experience God for ourselves. The indwelling of the Spirit is for growing the kingdom, making witness, helping people find God and salvation through the name of Jesus. His final words to the church were a prediction of what would happen only a chapter later in Acts 2, after his ascension — Pentecost would change the world forever.
As we are moving closer to Lent, we do so either under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit or on our own ability and might. Too often I rely upon my own strength only to realize (by his Spirit I might add) that I can’t do it on my own. Life is not worth living without a relationship with Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Today we live in uncertain times. The Coronavirus which is spreading fear, death and sickness across the globe is not the end. It’s an opportunity rather for people to turn to God, trust him whole heartedly and find salvation through his name. Why not call upon the power of the Holy Spirit today to fill you, heal you, and empower you to tell the world about the One who came to die for their sins?
“O Lord God, today is a day of rest, of renewal and of refocus. It’s a day to be spent with loved ones, centering my life upon you, and finding joy in the day. I praise you Lord that I might walk with you and find hope and grace in my time of need. Come now, Holy Spirit, blow a fresh wind upon your people and heal your land. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen