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Wonders in the heavens

Pentecost was a day of wonder (Acts 2:12 and 19). What wonders might give us glimpses of glory today?

Context

• The day of Pentecost was full of dramatic wonders and signs of God’s creativity, grace and mercy, with the promise of salvation for all those who ‘called on the name of the Lord’. It was a day that surprised people, stopped them in their tracks.
• The week before last, those who stayed up late enough were treated to a rare display of wonder in the heavens over the UK. Phone lines and social media were buzzing with reports and pictures of the spectacular and awe-inspiring aurora borealis or northern lights.
• Many are enjoying the latest series of the BBC programme Race Across the World. Contestants are racing across the Far East in pursuit of a £20,000 prize. Much of the time is taken up in manic activity but then there are the moments when they choose to pause and immerse themselves in the wonder of their surroundings. For 20-year-old Alfie, there was a particularly touching moment when he shared in a Vietnamese ritual of lighting a candle and placing it in a paper boat before releasing it on the river. He does so to remember his mother who died when he was just five years old.
• When my own father had a series of severe strokes it was clear he needed the care of a nursing home. Despite us knowing that, it was still a very difficult decision for my mum in particular to make after 60 years of devoted marriage. As I drove with mum to visit dad in his new home for the first time, a full double rainbow appeared in the sky. Now some might say it was just a rainbow but for my mum, who always loved a rainbow, it was a powerful and moving sign of God’s faithfulness and care.

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

• Pentecost is an ideal day for exploring the place of wonder in life and discipleship. The spectacular recent pictures of the northern lights are a gift for leading worship and exploring this theme. Amidst all the challenging news stories at the moment, celebrating the positivity of this and other stories of wonder could be very timely.
• As the story above of Alfie shows, signs and wonders can be signs of comfort as well as awe. The Pentecost reading reminds us of the power and drama that the Spirit can bring whilst our Gospel passage reminds us that the same Spirit is also the source of comfort and support – as this week’s Roots Bible notes point out. You might like to explore ways in which we can be signs of God’s love to those in distress.
• ‘What does this mean?’ was the big question on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:12). Peter took on the role of interpreter, explaining the events in the light of the scriptures and his own experience of, and relationship with, Jesus. What role might we have in offering meaning? How we do that will be shaped by our personalities and learning styles. In responding to the northern lights, for example, creatives might celebrate the artistry of God whilst scientists might explore the wonder of the nuclear explosions in the sun.

Questions for discussion

• What space is there in your life for signs of wonder? If you were taking part in the Race Across the World would you be totally focussed on pursuing the prize and getting to the finish line as quickly as possible or would you make time to pause and let the wonder of your surroundings sink into your soul?
• When we lead or gather for worship, what space do we allow or curate for God to surprise us with signs of his love and wonders of his grace?
• What signs or wonders have you been blessed to see or interpret to others?
• Is a rainbow just an act of physics or something more?

Andrew Roberts is a husband, father, Methodist minister and the author of Holy Habits. He enjoys watching football and, despite that, supports Aston Villa.

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

The Premier League title race will come to a dramatic end this weekend. Manchester City and Arsenal have been neck and neck the last few months and the outcome of the title will come down to the last weekend. Both teams will be playing in front of sold-out crowds, knowing that there are millions more watching back at home. It’s a lot of pressure, but the team that wants to win the trophy will have to rise to it. They will have to see the pressure as an opportunity.

Yet, the biggest event this weekend is not the Premier League finale. No, that title belongs to Pentecost Sunday. This weekend millions of Christians all over the world will celebrate the start of the church.

Like football stadiums around the country there was a big crowd in Jerusalem all those years ago. They were there to celebrate a big festival. Jesus’ friends were together in an upstairs room. They knew Jesus wanted them to go out into the world and tell people what he had done but they were waiting for the promised Helper to come and show them how. They were a group under pressure; confused and not too sure how to face that big crowd.

And then in an instance everything changed. There was a rushing wind, fire and then a sense of joy. The Holy Spirit had arrived. The disciples went and proclaimed the Good News, 3000 people decided to follow Jesus and the church was born.

Whatever pressure you face this week, from winning premier league titles to studying for exams, may you know the Holy Spirit is with you and see these challenges as opportunities to show God’s love through your words and actions.

Chris Neilands is the co-founder of Play it by Ear drama company, based in Belfast.

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