Every Tribe Under Heaven—A Pentecost Contemplative

Today we commemorate the day of Pentecost, the birth of the Church of Jesus!

And so, remembering those first disciples in the upper room, praying 24-7 until the Holy Spirit came in overwhelming power to launch and empower their mission, we join with Christians around the world, echoing one of the oldest prayers of the Church: Veni, Sancte Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit).

Pause

As we enter this time of prayer, let’s pause and still ourselves, breathing slowly, focusing all of our attention on the Presence of God.

Today we are reflecting on the story of Pentecost, the day on which the long-promised Holy Spirit detonated the mission of God in Christ; not for one nation or people alone, but for every tribe, tongue, and nation under heaven.

Of all the Scriptures that may have guided the disciples as they waited for the Holy Spirit, Joel chapter 2 was surely on their minds. The great Old Testament prophecy that the Holy Spirit will one day be poured out on all people is a passage that Peter himself will preach on at Pentecost. He had studied its words well because he understood that its momentous promises were about to become reality… 

Joel 2:28-32 NIV
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heaven and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

These words set Peter free to live a life beyond anything he could have managed by himself. More than anyone else, Peter’s mistakes could have led him to count himself out of fulfilling God’s call on his life.

Let’s allow Joel’s words to free us in the same way. The Spirit comes into our life to do what we absolutely could not do ourselves – to utter prophecies, see visions, dream dreams, perform wonders. Joel stresses that it will be normal for every believer to experience this – no exceptions.

I’ve realized that the gap between my all-too-human weakness and God’s power is not a reason to discount myself. It is the reason to joyfully count myself in.

Holy Spirit, come and fill our ordinary, flawed, souls with your extraordinary power. Let each of us speak prophecy, see visions, dream dreams and perform wonders with you.

Pause and Pray

The New Testament says the gifts of the Holy Spirit have to be “fanned into flame” (2 Timothy 1:6); they have to be actively practiced and sought after (1 Corinthians 12:31a).

Holy Spirit, awaken every denomination and stream of your Church to practice your gifts. Do wonders on the Earth through us – prophecies, healings, miracles – that point many people to you.

Pause and Pray

As we return to the passage,  look out for a particular word or phrase that the Holy Spirit seems to be highlighting to you today…

Joel 2:28-32 NIV
And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heaven and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Take a moment to respond in prayer to any word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlighted for you. 

Pause and Pray

The fulfillment of Joel’s words on Pentecost Sunday would coincide with the Jewish festival of Shavuot, a harvest celebration. The Spirit’s outpouring resulted in thousands of new believers coming to Christ – the great harvest of souls Jesus had promised (John 4:35) was coming to fruition. 

Joel said that the Spirit would draw in multitudes, that his outpouring would cut across gender, age and class barriers. After Pentecost, his words would fuel the Early Church to step beyond its religious comfort zone and share the gospel with people outside their own culture. The disciples understood that when Scripture says “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”, it means everyone.

There is no nation too far away.

No culture too different.

No person beyond the reach of the Spirit’s love and transforming power.

Here’s a question for us to ponder:

Are there any individuals or groups that I’ve assumed can’t, or won’t be interested in following Jesus? Who have I avoided sharing the gospel with?

Pause and Reflect

Holy Spirit, we yield to the words of Joel and ask you to change our thinking. Help us to boldly step out of our comfort zone to share your good news. Surprise and delight us with who we see come to faith and filled with your power.

And now, as we close this time of prayer, we reflect on Christ’s promise in the book of Acts, an invitation into a story still unfolding in our lives: 

Acts 1:8 NIV
“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.” 

And now, breathing in Your Spirit, we step into Your mission
Empowered, not perfect.
Sent, not by our own strength,
But by the fire and breath of the Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit. Fill us again.
Disturb what needs disturbing.
Heal what needs healing.
Ignite what has grown cold.
Strengthen what is weary.
Send us as witnesses of Jesus:
From our neighborhoods to the nations,
From familiar places to unfamiliar people,
From comfort into calling.
Give us hearts wide enough to love every people and culture you love.
Let your Church speak again with tongues of mercy, justice, beauty, and truth.
May our lives declare the wonders of God
To every generation, Every language, Every tribe,
And every nation under heaven.
And when fear silences us, Give us courage.
When pride divides us, Give us humility.
When weariness overtakes us, Breathe fresh life into us again.
For yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power, Yours is the glory,
Now and forever.
Amen.