Before Jesus ascended into heaven he promised the disciples two very important things. That the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon them, and that they will be sent out as witnesses to all the world. On the day of Pentecost his promises came true. As tongues of fire danced over their heads and the cacophony of native languages filled the air, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise transformed the disciples into apostles, meaning “the sent ones.” No longer followers listening to Christ, they are called and commissioned to be Christ like to the entire world. By the power of the Holy Spirit they are a new creation, they are re-created. The good news is that this re-creation still happens to us in worship each weekend.
We are re-created in confession and forgiveness.
We kneel and admit our broken nature, longing for forgiveness, for re-creation. Our liturgy tells us that, “God who is rich in mercy loved us even when we were dead in sin and makes us alive (again and again) together with Christ.”(Eph 2:4-5) Like the Apostles, we are transformed, re-created. We are never the same. These words fulfill the promise of Jesus calling us to go out as witnesses to all the world in everything we say and do, no longer just listening to Christ, but living as a re-creation of Christ forgiven and inspired.
We are re-created in the waters of Baptism
As water is poured over the head of the newly baptized, we call on the Holy Spirit, the power of the living word, to give new life, new birth, re-creation. Sponsors and parents make promises to their children that they will strive to be living examples of Christ; acknowledging our brokenness by daily rising to new life seeking God’s face. On the 24th of May, young people will surround the altar and confirm their baptism. Together we pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit to confirm their faith, guide their life and empower them in serving. There are new “sent ones” among us, a re-creation indeed.
We are re-created in bread and wine
We are reminded that on the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and shared it with his friends. He took the cup and proclaimed a re-creation, a new covenant shed for me, for you, for all the world for forgiveness of sin. With this bread and cup we listen to the story of our faith passed down from generation to generation, culminating in our new birth in his death and resurrection. “Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth burning with justice peace and love.” (ELW Thanksgiving for the table)
On the day of Pentecost we receive the same promises the disciples received, with an invitation to be re-created. This invitation extends into the times of recreation and summer, to gather around the altar and font to worship and learn more about what this means in our world today. We are the “sent ones,” the apostles, the re-created. We have been washed and fed and are sent forth ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit to serve the world and all of God’s good creation.
Pastor Steve
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