This Easter week, our Whirlow blog reflects on the radical promise made to those first converts to Christianity at Pentecost – the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift was promised not only to them, but to ‘all who are far away’. We reflect on how we might carry this promised Spirit to the many who are suffering in our world today; and on how we might carry it within our own hearts. We are invited to respond…

One of today’s New Testament stories is from Acts. The scene takes place in Jerusalem after the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. Here, the apostle Peter addresses bewildered crowds who have just witnessed the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. You can find the section in Chapter 2 here, and we paraphrase verses 36-41 below:

“Peter says:

‘Therefore, let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.’

The crowds gathered that morning were cut to the heart when they heard this, saying to Peter and the other apostles:

‘Brothers, what should we do?’

Peter said to them:

‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’

And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying:

‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’

So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.”

– Acts 2: 36-41 (NRSV)

Ponder on this passage for a moment if you like.

What sort of building might this scene be happening in – a private house, or perhaps a public space? Whereabouts is Peter standing in relation to the crowd? Perhaps there are families with children in the background, the sound of people murmuring?

These bewildered crowds – we are told earlier on in Chapter Two that they originate from many different parts of the world – are ‘cut to the heart’ at Peter’s declaration: this Jesus, who their Jewish leaders very recently had crucified as a common criminal, is actually the Lord and Messiah!

Can you imagine being a person in this crowd and feeling ‘cut to the heart’? Perhaps you experience a watershed moment – a need for reparation? Like the crowds around you – do you also want to ask Peter and the apostles what you should do to receive this promised Holy Spirit?

The words: ‘cut to the heart’ in this passage can resonate strongly with us today as we witness from afar the wounding injustice unfolding in many different parts of the world: including children fleeing war, persecution, poverty, disease and environmental disaster – sometimes with their families, and sometimes alone. Whilst we may witness this suffering indirectly via modern media rather than first hand in a public space, it doesn’t diminish our emotional response. The victims of this injustice might live ‘far away’ geographically – but as their brothers and sisters, created by a loving God, we instinctively want their peace and happiness and feel compelled to do something to help turn the tide of this suffering.

In our natural compassion for all who suffer, whether they are close to home or ‘far away’, we can also feel a burning need to apportion blame, a desire for justice, and for those causing such suffering – ‘this corrupt generation’ – to ‘repent’ of their inhuman behaviour. This righteous anger can be channelled in many vital and constructive ways, depending on our state in life and individual circumstances.

However, being called to repent from our own sins – as the crowd gathered in Jerusalem are being urged to do – can often be a different matter! In focussing entirely on our own good works, we can unintentionally lose sight of the highest good from which these good works must flow – love for the Lord our God. Our hearts can sometimes travel too ‘far away’ to hear his call clearly.

This promise of Jesus Christ, which Peter tells the crowds is offered: ‘for you, for your children, and for all who are far away’; this gift of the Holy Spirit which brings people together from near and far, to reach out in love and forgiveness beyond geographical and linguistic boundaries – also calls for an ongoing devotional journey within our own hearts, enabling us to hear, welcome and respond to God’s message with humility and compassion in these conflict-bound modern times.

This Eastertide may the gift of the Holy Spirit renew faith, hope and love between all peoples: those who are near and those who are far away. And may our hearts draw near enough to God to hear his call.

You might like to listen to this poignant Easter Alleluia song.