Pentecost – and what it does to the guys with the big sticks.
Jesus is dead and the apostles are in panic mode. They have barricaded the door because they are afraid that talking about God’s love and grace would anger the neighbours. Many neighbours, way back then as well as today like God to be as angry as they are. And because most neighbours don’t like to be told that they’re wrong, and because God will send you to hell anyway, the neighbours tend to get out a big stick to give you a foretaste of what is to come. It’s one of the eternal facts of life; God needs a lot of help scaring people, because when you leave God to God’s own devices, somehow God doesn’t do that properly. God sucks at hate, but thank God the neighbours are good at it. And then Pentecost happens and suddenly the apostles are not afraid any more. They get out of the basement and boldly face the neighbours with the big sticks. Through Pentecost the apostles always carry a piece of God within them. And that is the Holy Spirt who takes away their fear.
Rev. Olaf Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA.
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