What does Pentecost mean for us? John 14:8-17 and John 14:25-27

John 14:8-17 and John 14:25-27 Gospel reading for Pentecost Sunday May 23rd 2010

John Chapter 14 makes a significant contribution to shaping what we believe as Christian people. As always John's writing is intriguing to say the least. This reading started me thinking about a question, which turned into a series of questions, with the progression going something like this:

What does Pentecost mean for Lutherans?

What does Pentecost mean for Lutheran Schools?

What does Pentecost mean for us as Lutheran School Leaders?

What does Pentecost mean for me?

Why is it that we Lutherans have seemingly down-played Pentecost? I have a theory. At the time of the Reformation, Luther was highly engrossed in the struggle to get the church's thinking back on track with regard to how we are saved. As a result the vast majority of his writings have the Son as a focus. Subsequently Lutherans have strongly identified with "saved by grace" as a central focus. The early church too was not Spirit focused with any reasonable degree of equality alongside the other two partners of the Trinity. It is interesting to note that in our ecumenical creeds, the statement on the Holy Spirit is almost an after-thought. E.g in the Apostle's Creed ... and Oh yeah ... I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian church ... etc. The Holy Spirit gets two words, just by way of naming and that's it!

While a strong focus on the work of Jesus is critical, a neglect of the Spirit can mean that we don't actually progress on to a vibrant living out of our relationship with Jesus. Do we place enough emphasis on the Spirit? Initially my thinking was that this is so for Lutherans generally and therefore the Spirit down-play is reflected in our Lutheran Schools. Then I thought as Lutheran School leaders our spirit focus is not strong enough. Finally though, reality hit home ...

I do not place enough emphasis on the work of the Spirit!

A spirit focus starts with me!

If our schools are to be places that are spirit-filled it starts with us. Being spirit focused and spirit sensitive is a personal thing. It starts with us at an individual level. The irony of all this is that we cannot become more spirit-focused without the spirit being at work in us to help us move forward in that direction.

Prayer: Lord God ... Father, Son and Spirit. As we reflect on Pentecost again in 2010, we thank you that we have been blessed with the presence of your Spirit in us. We pray that you would continue to have your Spirit work in and through us. Fill us with a generous and rich measure of your Spirit Lord, fill us to over-flowing! May your Holy Spirit strengthen us, inspire us, guide us and flow through us into our school communities so that more people may come to know you. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen