June eighth is Pentecost Sunday, one of the three major festivals of the Church. It marks the beginning or the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ’s Believers, who were united with Christ at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The book of Ezra describes a time in the history of God’s people when they were called from their exile in Babylon to “return” to the Promised Land. Being in the place God wanted them to be symbolized their new and right relationship with God.
Once there they began the work to “rebuild” the structures of the Promised Land, namely the Altar and Temple for worship and the city walls for protection.
These actions symbolize the work of the Holy Spirit who helps us rebuild the structures of our life together and of our nation. We think first of the institution of marriage and of the family, then of the organized Church. The role of marriage and family is basic to a healthy and whole life.
Today many of our structures are being downgraded, taxed and redefined. We call on the Holy Spirit to inspire us and our nation to rebuild these valuable institutions. In the meantime we stand stalwartly as a people of God for the important role these structures fulfill within our nation and communities.
Ezra next describes a work of the Holy Spirit to “reform” the people who were not separating themselves from the spiritual practices and people who had previously led them astray. God called upon His people to separate themselves unto Himself (this is what it means to “be holy”).
Today we as a people of God are being tempted by the ways and deities of our world. We want to be God’s people and at the same time to do our own thing, meanwhile God calls us to separate ourselves from the sinful, materialistic beliefs and practices of this world and to serve only Him.
We summarize our place in God’s world by saying we are “in” the world but not “of” the world. Getting the world out of us is the work of the Holy Spirit to reform our hearts and lives.
Blessed Pentecost Season,
Pastor Tim Cartwright