I wonder what the Apostles thought when Jesus promised them another counselor, or helper. How were they expecting the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself, and how would He be known? They must have discussed Jesus’ marvelous words among themselves. How could you not wonder and speculate what would happen, and when?
Of course, we, and they, now know the history of the day of Pentecost and the manifestation of the Spirit. Yet I sometimes think we forget how it is that the Spirit comes to us. Do we, or other people, sometimes look for the Spirit where He cannot be found? Luther said “To sit in a corner, to gape heavenward, and wait to see Him come is sheer folly. The Word is the only bridge and path by which the Holy Spirit comes to us.” How often do we forget where the Holy Spirit can be found, working through the Word, and look for Him elsewhere, perhaps in our own feeble works and plans.
Dear Heavenly Father, send us your Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, that we would repent and grow in a true knowledge of you and love for our neighbor. Remind us where it is that the Holy Spirit can be found, in the Word of the Absolution, in the Word of the Liturgy, in the Word of Baptism, in the Word of the sermon, and in the Word of the Lord’s Supper. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Luther quote from What Luther Says (St. Louis: CPH, 1959) 663.
Of course, we, and they, now know the history of the day of Pentecost and the manifestation of the Spirit. Yet I sometimes think we forget how it is that the Spirit comes to us. Do we, or other people, sometimes look for the Spirit where He cannot be found? Luther said “To sit in a corner, to gape heavenward, and wait to see Him come is sheer folly. The Word is the only bridge and path by which the Holy Spirit comes to us.” How often do we forget where the Holy Spirit can be found, working through the Word, and look for Him elsewhere, perhaps in our own feeble works and plans.
Dear Heavenly Father, send us your Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, that we would repent and grow in a true knowledge of you and love for our neighbor. Remind us where it is that the Holy Spirit can be found, in the Word of the Absolution, in the Word of the Liturgy, in the Word of Baptism, in the Word of the sermon, and in the Word of the Lord’s Supper. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Luther quote from What Luther Says (St. Louis: CPH, 1959) 663.
No comments:
Post a Comment