Pentecost – 8-26-20
“Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” Matthew 26:35
The life of Peter (and Paul as well) is a testimony of what the power of God can do for a human being. Before Jesus’s resurrection, no doubt Peter’s heart is in the right place. His dedication, zeal, enthusiasm, and love for Jesus was second to none. Think of him as he leaps from the boat to walk the sea and go to his Master. Then he refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, but then the Lord rebukes him with the prophetic words “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Peter responds; “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” (John 13:7-9) We think of him as he answers to Jesus’s probing question after the multitudes turn back “Will you also go away?” Peter responds “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” (John 6: 67-69) He loved God; he loved Jesus; and when he said “Though I should die with thee”, I believe that in his heart he meant it, but he wrote a check from the heart, too big for himself to cash.
Many people today love God. These are they who have a desire to do right and a desire to “sin not.” However, there are thoughts, actions, deeds, that they wish they wouldn’t do; and thoughts, actions, and reactions that they wish they would have done. Moreover, they promised God that they would never do this or that again. Furthermore, they promised him that they would try to do better going forward. Yet, by and by, they find themselves unable to pay up on the checks they write with their hearts. We each one knows what act of defiance is in our lives that we ourselves want to badly to overcome, but like Peter, we write checks with our hearts that our own will power cannot cash. So what now? Do we live in constant disapproval and failure towards God? “God forbid” Paul writes in Romans, I am glad there is a Pentecost. About forty days after the resurrection of Jesus we find the disciples in an upper room having a prayer meeting; when the power falls. The promised Holy Ghost comes on the scene and fills all that were sitting (Acts 2). Shortly thereafter, Peter stands up and boldly begins to preach and teach Jesus to everyone around. The man that once denied, now passionately affirms and preaches the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He not only did it on this occasion, but time and time again he affirmed with boldness that Jesus was the Christ (see Acts 3 & 4). So, what was it that gives power for this man Peter to now cash in on the check his heart wrote about a month prior?........The Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost can come into your heart and give you the power to love God the way you want to love him. He can give you the capital to pay up on all those checks you once wrote in your heart but couldn’t by your own willpower make good on. The Holy Ghost can eradicate every obstruction and remove that which yields to disobedience. It is not in your: might, will, or ability; but rather a complete reliance on His. What is needed is a Pentecost.
“His power can make you what you want to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.”
