On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place. Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them. They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues -- empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!
Acts 2:1-4 (TPT)
What a journey this has been! Jesus walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus in such a unique way. After weeks of traveling with them, I'm convinced we have witnessed Jesus' response to a first century deconstruction of faith. I don't think I'm being dramatic. Wikipedia's definition of faith deconstruction is "A Christian phenomenon where people unpack, rethink and examine their belief systems. This may lead to dropping one's faith all together or may result in a stronger faith." While Wikipedia isn't the most reliable source, I think this definition describes the turmoil of the Emmaus Road disciples.
At some point it dawned on me that this journey detailed in Luke 24 is likely a picture of what was happening in the hearts and lives of many of Jesus' followers after His death. These two disciples weren't the only ones examining and rethinking their faith, but their deconstruction (and Jesus' response to it) is the one we got to witness. In the end, the only thing that really needed a deconstruction was human expectation of who God was and how He would rescue. In life and in death, Jesus contradicted every assumption and hope for how God's chosen people would be saved.
In his book, Leaving and Finding Jesus, Jason Clark said, "When Jesus hid in the Wayfaring Stranger on the Emmaus Road, it was so His friend's ideology, theology, eschatology, and all other ologies wouldn't get in the way of the heart-burning relational experience of God with us, God within us."
Wow! It seems the human condition is one that continuously gets in the way of its own good. "Heart-burning" relationship with God through Jesus is what we were made for. On the eternal timeline, God was preparing to send the fire of His Presence to burn within individuals. First, though, He provided this space for Jesus to encourage two disciples in their debilitating deconstruction. He didn't squelch it. He never reprimanded it, He certainly didn't leave them alone in it. He simply led them to name the faulty beliefs so that what was inside moved outside leaving room for Truth to take over.
I've said all of that to create space for this little question....
I wonder how many of Jesus' followers showed up to Pentecost like the two on the Road to Emmaus; still thinking, "we had hoped that he was the one who would redeem and rescue Israel? (Luke 24:21)
Pentecost was one of the main feasts for Jewish people. It was held on the fiftieth day after Passover Sabbath, also known as the Feast of Harvest. The people that showed up for the Acts 2 Pentecost were coming to fulfill duty and tradition, and I've had to wonder if this was their attempt to go back to the path they'd always known. Had they all hoped Jesus would have been their Rescuer, but since He wasn't, they went back to waiting the way they'd always waited, with feasts, celebrations, and traditions?
I included The Passion Translation, because I love the commentary this version provided. In the Old Testament, a pillar of fire led God's people of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt and into His promise of freedom and land. This would have been a story retold for centuries. Jewish people knew it well. In Acts 2, the pillar of fire returned only this time its purpose was to lead God's people out of the bondage of Law and into the freedom of relationship through His Spirit.
Now, though, this story isn't just for Israel. It is for all people. It is for me, and it is for you! The pillar of fire separated into tongues of fire and engulfed each person. This was new and different, y'all.
You will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. My people will never again be put to shame. You will know that I am present in Israel and that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. My people will never again be put to shame. After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth. (Joel 2:26-30)
God was doing a new thing, but He'd told them He'd do it through the prophet Joel! They just hadn't expected it would happen in this way. Still, the power of God fell. And, it was for every, single one.
Pentecost reminds us that God has invited all to His table, His family, through the finished work of Jesus Christ. What had been known only to His chosen people, Israel, has been made available to all through the power of His Spirit living and dwelling in us.
Our journey with the resurrected Jesus has brought us to this point where we realize the journey doesn't actually end. Fear and confusion, sadness and disappointment, unmet expectation will persist on this earth, but He is with us through His Spirit. We may continue to see dimly at times, but His Spirit reminds us that we are not alone. Powerful, right?
So, journey on in the power Christ's life, death, and resurrection provided.
... In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
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