Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor, The Voice: television talent shows like these grip the nation. We love to watch ordinary people performing before judges and in front of excited audiences. The contestants are just a bunch of amateurs, sharing their talent, showing their humanity. Fear, tears, frustration, exhilaration, hope, joy - we love to watch the whole range of human reactions to the challenge of live performances.
Let’s rewind 2,000 years…. Another bunch of amateurs in a challenging and scary situation. Jesus’s followers were very scared, even though they’d experienced the power of God in the resurrection and witnessed Jesus’ ascension. On the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover and the resurrection, Jesus’ friends were altogether in one place waiting for something to happen. Going by God’s past events, it was likely to be quite dramatic! Even Luke struggled to articulate what was was going on. The power of God the Holy Spirit, experienced as fire and hurricane, touches everyone present and releases the talent to speak the languages of the known world at that time. These people were amateurs: humble, uneducated folk from Galilee (a cultural backwater). People who were mocked for their local accent, but now sufficiently gifted to communicate with people from every part of the Roman Empire, so God’s love could be shared with all.
In the Gospel, Jesus promised his followers that he would send this power - this Advocate - who would witness to the truth. A counsellor, who would go before and work alongside the disciples in their task of telling others about God’s love. A special helper - the Holy Spirit - sent from God the Father to lead the people to the truth of God the Son.
Disciples like Peter, always getting it wrong, often confused, were turned into confident, courageous preachers addressing thousands of people and interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus saw potential in Peter and the Holy Spirit enabled that potential to bear fruit. Peter became a true witness to God’s love, but no longer only by his own strength. His openness to the power of the Spirit and to letting God live through him, helped him to turn other people’s lives around.
So, what about us, as we celebrate Pentecost today? We’re a bunch of amateurs too. That’s good news because God works best through amateurs. God works best through those who know they can’t do it alone, those who feel wobbly about their ability and are honest about their limitations. Some of us like noise, others like quiet; some of us meet God in the wilderness, others meet God in the High Street! As well as an enabler, the Holy Spirit is a comforter who brings reconciliation and wholeness.
We received the Holy Spirit at our baptism and we grow into that gift as we grow deeper into God throughout our lives. The Holy Spirit enhances our God-given potential as individuals and as community. The Holy Spirit enables us to be all that we can be and often takes us to new places within ourselves, our Church and our community life. We may need to take on new tasks that stretch us, just like Peter did. We may need to challenge our behaviour or give more time to relationships. Where the Holy Spirit is at work, we will see barriers broken down, prejudices challenged and fears and anxieties relieved. When we are Spirit-filled people, we are fully committed to the journey of ‘becoming’ who God is calling us to be. Unity, building bridges and working for reconciliation will become passions for us. Where the Spirit of God is at work the Church isn’t content with being cosy, but takes risks and is forever outward looking, taking faith to another level. The gift of the Spirit is given so that we can be sent out, as the Father sent Jesus, into communities, workplaces and families, to witness to Christ through action and word.
That bunch of amateurs in Jerusalem, 2000 years ago, took the world by storm. We’re their descendants, today’s bunch of amateurs , also filled with the Holy Spirit. We’re empowered to change the world too. Are you ready?
With every blessing,
Christian (Vicar)