Dear saints, many people and businesses in our Union are beginning to come out of either self- or government-imposed lockdowns. Churches around the country that have been empty for weeks, if not months, have begun to come together again. When we look at our reading in Acts, it appears that the disciples were still in a type of lockdown. It makes sense. After Jesus is arrested, the disciples scatter, and when they see their Rabbi put into a grave, they go into hiding. When he is reported as risen from the dead three days later, they remain locked up.
The locks kept other men out, but it did not keep our Lord from entering. When he does, he gives them his peace. Before his betrayal and death, he teaches and prepares the disciples. He tells them he is going away and will return. This comes to pass quickly. And then for forty days, he continues to teach them and prepare them for another type of leaving. This occurs at the Ascension. Though Jesus takes his physical and bodily leave, he does so with the promise that the Holy Spirit would soon be sent.
The disciples are told to stay in Jerusalem until the Spirit comes, and so this morning we find them together in one place. Perhaps locked up in the Upper Room. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The commotion drew a crowd. And since it was Pentecost, one of the three major feasts which required a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for worship, men from numerous nations were present. The crowd of these many nations and different tongues each hear simple Galileans speaking in their own language. No wonder they were amazed and astonished. Some ask, “What does this mean?” while others mocked them, even saying, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter speaks up. He addresses the crowds gathered for the feast and then around the commotion. As he begins to speak, he quotes the prophets of old and speaks the first sermon of a newly born Church. The reading this morning culminates, “And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
That Peter, or any of the apostles, would speak or preach or proclaim the Word of God at Pentecost shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus had told them to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit had come, and from there they would take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. This is why they had remained in Jerusalem. And when the Spirit comes, what Jesus says is fulfilled: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
I think we all catch the obvious miracle. Everyone sees that it is a miracle that an Egyptian can hear a Greek-and-Aramaic-speaking Galilean in his native language. Especially when the Mede and Libyan and Phrygian can do the same. This is a great miracle. It’s not that the curse of Babel is reversed, but rather that all languages are sanctified. The gospel will now be carried to all nations for all people.
And this brings us to the greater miracle the Holy Spirit works on this day. Just before our Lord ascends, he tells them the Holy Spirit would come and fill them with power from heaven. It is true the disciples spoke in tongues through the power of the Holy Spirit. But the power spoken of here by Jesus is the power of salvation for all who believe. It is how St. Peter ends the section of the sermon we read today. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Everyone who believes upon the name of the Lord has the peace that he leaves with and gives to the disciples. We won’t have the peace the world gives, a peace that is fickle and simply ‘forgets’ something for a time, only to be brought up and used against you later. Nor is it the political peace that is tenuous and can crumble at any time. The Peace we have with God is a Peace of remembrance. A Peace of reconciliation with God. For this peace is based upon and is secured for you through the death of Christ on the cross. It is sealed in death – Christ’s on the cross and yours in your baptism. It is guaranteed in his rising from the grave. And it is known to you in the sending of the Holy Spirit to the church and to you.
I expect no wind today other than that of the air conditioner. But the Holy Spirit still works today as he did on Pentecost. You simply need to look in the right places. Look at the Word and the Sacraments. He speaks to you in the Word. He acts in the washing of Baptism. He feeds you Christ in the Holy Supper. Hear the peace brought to you in them and in the absolution: You are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
What amazing peace we have. What glorious grace we are shown. To know that the promise of God is attached to simple water and was put on you to cleanse you and unite you in a death and a resurrection like Christ’s. To hear his words, “Take and eat; This is My Body. Take and drink; This is My Blood. Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” and know that is exactly what takes place.
Jesus tells the disciples in the Upper Room that the ruler of this world is coming. He has come and he has been defeated. But he still fights as if he can win. This is because he can still tempt and trick and deceive. He has the world, and so he sets his sights on you. He wants you. So remember that you have been claimed. Remember the Name that is placed upon you and who is placed upon your tongue. Remember and keep his commands, pleading his mercy and forgiveness when you fail.
After all, dear Christian, Christ has died for you. He has conquered sin, death, and the devil already. This is your peace. Rest and rely and fix your eyes upon him. In doing so, what’s the worst that can happen? Ridicule on Facebook? Losing your job? Catching a virus? Trust in Christ and the ‘worst’ thing he can do to you is cause you to awake in the very presence of your Savior. As if that is a bad thing.
In your baptism, you have a peace that can never be taken from you. No matter your station in life: young or old, healthy or sick, depressed or lonely, rich or poor…whatever…you belong to Christ. The Name of the Almighty God is placed upon your head and your heart and He has marked you as one redeemed by Christ the Lord. And nothing can take that away from you. Amen.
Rev. Brent Keller
Peace Lutheran Church
Alcester, SD
©2020 Brent Keller. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy, share and display freely for non-commercial purposes. Direct all other rights and permissions inquiries to cosmithb@gmail.com.
