That’s Dramatic!

Most of us have experienced Pentecost Sunday services full of dramatic impact; with dramatized readings of the Pentecost story, prayers spoken in different languages, symbols representing different nationalities, visual images of tongues of fire – even balloons, streamers or a birthday cake to symbolize the ‘birthday’ of the Christian Church.

The Day of Pentecost itself was full of dramatic impact, with the gathering of many nations, a sound like a mighty rushing wind, the appearance of what looked like tongues of fire, the speaking and hearing of the wonders of God in many languages, a powerful sermon from Peter and the conversion of many people.

Jesus told his disciples that the coming of the Holy Spirit would be full of dramatic impact for another reason, not because of the outward signs but because of the inward transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Although he would withdraw his visible presence with them, his “Helper” – the Holy Spirit – would still be among them with a life-changing message for the world and its people.

Jesus said, “when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:8-11).

That’s dramatic! People in the world would become convinced of their sin which, at its heart, is unbelief – the refusal to fear, love and trust in God above everything else.  They would be convinced that Christ alone is righteous; that he took our unrighteousness upon himself, offered his perfect righteousness to all who would trust in him, and returned to the Father having “fulfilled all righteousness”.  They would be convinced that, although we by our human nature stood condemned along with the world because of our sin, we now – by faith – share the victory of Christ over sin, death and the power of the devil.  The evil one can have no power over us.

If the outward appearance of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was dramatic, it was to draw our attention to the even more dramatic inward work of the Spirit on our hearts and lives, convincing us of the saving work of Christ and the victory of his righteousness over sin, death and the power of the devil – forever!

O Holy Spirit, convince us of our sin, your righteousness and your perfect victory over all that is evil, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.