Something Incredibly New Has Happened

Pentecost Sunday 2025

I’m autistic, and honestly, to blend in, I put on a mask and pretend to be someone I’m not. It gets super awkward when I’m around two people or different groups and have to act like different versions of myself. Trust me, juggling all these different worlds is no walk in the park!

So I’ve stopped the whole masking thing; you either take me as I am or you don’t, even when I’m at church. I’ve stopped stressing about being the perfect Christian; I like to think of myself as a practising Christian, and practising just means I’m still figuring stuff out.

You ask me how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.

The last lines of the chorus of the Easter hymn, “I serve a risen saviour,” actually talk about Pentecost, not Easter. Let me break it down for you…

God created two worlds, each with its own unique beauty and purpose. Heaven and Earth coexist, yet throughout time, from the first century to the twenty-first, many have believed that these realms should remain separate and distinct. We inhabit the Earth, a place of challenges and joys, while God resides in Heaven, a realm of peace and love. This belief can often leave us feeling distant; however, it’s essential to remember that even though we may feel worlds apart, the connection between us and God is always present, guiding us through our journey.

But in early Jewish thought, there is a beautiful idea that Heaven and Earth are meant to come together at the end of the age. This profound merging occurred early on at Pentecost, and it seems that this union is here for keeps.

What happened at Pentecost? There was a sound, like a really strong wind. Not a strong wind itself, but a sound that felt like one. Plus, there were these flames above people’s heads, but not actual flames—just flames that reminded you of fire. It was so new and unprecedented that they didn’t even know how to put it into words. But it was real! So real that folks were out in the streets of Jerusalem, scratching their heads, trying to figure out what that noise was all about.

The English Standard Version puts it like this: Acts chapter 2 verses 1-6, I have used the Anglicised Version…

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:1-6 ESVUK

The Temple held profound significance for the Jewish people, seen as the sacred space where heaven and earth beautifully overlap. Even today, some Christians believe that the church serves a similar purpose. It represents a safe haven where the divine presence, often perceived as overwhelming, is approached with reverence, carefully kept behind a curtain, allowing for a meaningful interaction with the sacred while honouring its majesty.

Pentecost represents a profound shift in how we understand the divine presence; it brings the sacredness of the Temple into the hearts of all believers. This significant change empowers individuals by fostering a personal connection with God, rather than confining Him to an exclusive space. This is why the early conflict between Jesus’ followers and the Jewish authorities revolved around the Temple’s importance, as it highlighted a pivotal belief: in Jesus, the need for the Temple is transformed, inviting everyone to experience that divine presence within themselves.

Jesus referred to his body as a temple in John 2:19, and we are told that believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19 and Ephesians 2:22.

Pentecost beautifully intertwines with the ascension. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He didn’t go far; in fact, heaven has always been just within reach. At Pentecost, we witness an incredible moment where the Holy Spirit enveloped all believers, and heaven and earth harmoniously united. We are blessed to exist in both realms, a reminder of the divine presence that surrounds us every day.

Do you ever feel like you’ve got to put on a mask at church when you’re around coworkers or teammates? Or maybe you find yourself acting differently at work and during your free time when you’re at church? Do you get all awkward, not knowing how to act when you’re with folks from both sides? What you really need is the Holy Spirit inside you to help you let loose.

The issue lies with the Temple; the dwelling place of God is anything but safe. Nowhere are we promised that being a Christian comes without challenges; instead, we are assured of God’s love, coursing through us via the Holy Spirit. It’s a risk, no doubt, but one that demands to be embraced.

You ask me how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.