Main readings: Acts 2.1-21 or Genesis 11.1-9; Psalm 104.26-36; Romans 8.14-17
or Acts 2.1-21; John 14.8-17 (25-27)
Supplementary readings: ‘Song of God’s Children’ (APBA p.394), John 14.22-31, Numbers 11.24-30, Romans 8.18-27
“All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’” (Acts 2.12)
A university student was seen with a large ‘K’ printed on his T- shirt. When someone asked him what the ‘K’ stood for, he said, “Confused.” “But,” the questioner replied, “you don’t spell ‘confused’ with a ‘K’.” The student answered, “You don’t know how confused I am.”
Witnesses to the effect of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost were amazed and perplexed. Something astounding was happening, but what did it all mean? Some were quick to draw conclusions, speculating that they were all drunk. It is at this point that Peter steps in to cast some light.
As we live our life infused with the Holy Spirit, no doubt we might cause some confusion. Lesslie Newbigen, the great 20th century missiologist and theologian said: “We must live in the kingdom of God in such a way that it provokes questions for which the Gospel is the answer. This is a great challenge for Christians today: what about our life might mark us out as more than just ‘nice people’. And in the words of the hymn ‘should our life attract or scare?’”
Whatever we do it is likely some will be confused, while others will be cynically dismissive. The important thing is that as the Holy Spirit shapes our lives and actions in astounding ways, we might also have words that clarify the guiding presence of God in us.
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