SKILLET DAILY DEVOTIONAL, SEPTEMBER 8
AWAKE AND ALIVE
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” - Acts 2:1-4
Peter had been staying in a rented house in Jerusalem with the other disciples after Jesus’ crucifixion. Part of it was fear; if they killed Jesus, they might kill his followers too. But he was also devastated. His messiah, his long-awaited savior was dead. The questions were swirling through Peter’s head: Was he wrong to trust in Jesus? Didn’t Jesus promise a better life? What was going to happen to him now?
Peter probably thought about going back to his family’s fishing business. It had been several years since he walked away from those familiar boats and nets; surely his father would welcome him back. Maybe he shouldn’t have left in the first place.
In fact, Peter wouldn’t have stayed in this house at all if Jesus hadn’t asked them to wait. He was fulfilling the request of his beloved teacher, but he was waiting for who knows what.
When we’re walking with God and can sense his presence, it’s easy to live the Christian life. Our hope is alive and our fears are vanquished. But when we go through dark times, we start wondering where God is. We begin doubting our faith. Suddenly, the life we abandoned for Jesus starts to look a whole lot more attractive, and we’re tempted to go back where we started.
But if we did this, we would miss out on a crucial part of following Jesus – experiencing the spirit of God. One of Jesus’ greatest promises to us was that we would never be alone. And because of the Holy Spirit, we never have to be.
After 40 days of waiting in the upper room, the disciples were overtaken by a mighty rushing wind. In one, sweeping force, the disciples were filled with the spirit of God. It was a sign of their genuine faith in Jesus. And suddenly, instantly, they awakened to the truth of everything that Jesus had taught them. Their eyes were opened, and their lives were never going to be the same.
At this time, the Jewish people were celebrating the feast of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The story says that people were gathered together from every nation under Heaven. So when they heard the violent wind, they circled around the house to see what was going on.
Once afraid and doubtful, Peter now stood in front of the crowd awakened and alive. This was his moment. This was his time. He spoke passionately and courageously about how Jesus came to save them from their sins. He insisted that they repent from their ways and trust in Jesus so they could find forgiveness as well.
A Christian life without the spirit of God is dead. But when the Holy Spirit fills us, we know what we believe. We stand strong for our convictions and speak truth at every opportunity. The spirit banishes fear and doubt, and we sense God’s presence inside us.
The good news is that this gift is available to all of us who believe in Jesus.
As Peter said to the crowd, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
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