What a to do!
Once upon a New Testament time
(Just to warn you, this story is full of rhyme)
At Pentecost, to be precise,
When Jewish people ate all things nice,
Including fresh bread baked with leaven.
(This was after Jesus had gone back to heaven)
The disciples and believers were gathered together
When, with an unexpected change in the weather,
A strong wind blew, well, that’s how it sounded
To the disciples surrounded by uproar unbounded.
But even that wasn’t the biggest shock
As whoosh, flames erupted, running amok,
Filling the room with yellow, orange and red
Then coming to rest on each person’s head!
And as the licking tongues of fire unfurled
The disciples spoke words from all over the world.
No lessons, no teachers, no GCSEs;
One touch of the flame had them speaking with ease.
What a thing! What a to do! Can you believe it?
This was the work of the Holy Spirit.
The disciples were not known for being quiet,
And their excited foreign chattering nearly caused a riot!
As people from every nation and land
Heard words and phrases they could each understand
Pouring out of the house the disciples were in,
Creating a babbling, cacophonous, ear-splitting din!
A crowd formed outside, gathering near
Muttering, “I reckon these lads have been on the beer…”
Then the disciples came and stood before them,
Sober as judges, with not a tipple or dram.
And Peter, meeting each person’s eyes
Started to eloquently sermonise.
(And yes, this is the same Peter who for three years previous
Made follower faux pas, both trivial and serious,
Suddenly talking with grace and articulate wit.
This really was the work of the Holy Spirit!)
He said, “These people are not drunk as you think,
It’s far too early for a cheeky drink.
Instead this is the fulfilment of words you will know,
Spoken by God through his prophet Joel.
“I will pour out my Spirit on everyone,
And when I say everyone I mean every single one.
There is no one for whom this doesn’t apply,
Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams;
My Spirit poured out on men, women, children, teens.
I will show wonders in the heavens above,
Leaving all who prophesy in awe of
The coming great and glorious day of the Lord,
When all who call on his name will be restored.”
Then Peter told them about Jesus, the Christ,
Who had been so recently crucified
Then raised to life, death-conquering Messiah,
Ascended to heaven, to the right hand of the Father.
And the crowd, heads bowed, cried, “What shall we do?”
Peter said, “Repent, be baptised, every last one of you,
In the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins,
Then your life with the Holy Spirit will begin.
This promise is for you and for all,
For everyone the Lord our God will call.”
Three thousand people believed and were saved that day,
And were baptised into God’s family. Yippee! Hooray!
They learned and grew, in faith and in friendship,
Just as we do today, in our church fellowship.
And God speaks to us today just the same.
We might not have flickering tongues of flame,
But the promise of Jesus to send his helper
Is just as true today as it was for Peter.
What a thing! What a to do! Can you believe it?
This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
The end.
