In Genesis 11:1-9, the story of the Tower of Babel continues the theology of sin that is found in Genesis 2 and 3 in the story of the Fall. The Acts 2 story of the Day of Pentecost is a richly satisfying reversal of this downward momentum in understanding. The scattered people of God come together; the wind of the Spirit comes among them to bring them to a new understanding of each other and of God. The Spirit of God enables Peter to interpret what is happening by using their knowledge of the ancient Scriptures to bring them all to this new place in their relationship with God.
In John 14, Jesus is defining His relationship with the God the people think they know already: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”. “I am in the Father and the Father is in me”. And He is also adding a new dimension: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper”. Verse 26 describes the role of this “Helper”, the Holy Spirit. The gift of Pentecost.
Peace is Jesus’ parting gift to those who follow His way of love. How can we receive this very significant and life-changing gift in our deeply troubled world today – and pass it on?
Rev Adelene Mills