Those gathered together in the Upper Room on Pentecost have no idea what is about to happen. The Lord Jesus spoke some pretty strange words just before He ascended into heaven: “I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” What? Power from on high? The promise of my Father? They may not have had a clue as to the nature of the fulfillment of the promise—that it would most certainly not be business as usual in any way shape or form. They would soon be shocked and amazed by fiery tongues coming down on their heads, the roaring of a hurricane-like wind filling the air, and… and perfectly spoken foreign languages coming from their lips as they proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus to complete strangers. Those gathered in the Upper Room would soon learn that the salvation won through Jesus’ death and resurrection is for all who believe (whether Jew or Gentile). Many of those gathered in that room are even about to suffer much (even death) for the sake of Jesus’ name. As they leave the room that particular Pentecost day, they will begin—under the power of the Holy Spirit—to witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, life, and eternal salvation.

HAVING BEEN GIVEN TO THIRST FOR CHRIST AND HIS FORGIVING LOVE, HIS PEOPLE JOYFULLY POUR FORTH FLOWING WATERS TO THE THIRSTY

The Pentecost “power from on high,” (as Jesus described it) is still at work today. Brothers and sisters in Christ, your crucified and risen Lord’s power has affected you. His Spirit (God’s power from on high) has miraculously called you, once lost, to be alive in Christ Jesus as you thirst for His salvation in trust. You bow your hearts before your Lord, having been delivered through baptismal waters from the darkness of sin, death, and hell into the light of His love, grace, and mercy. You’ve been transferred from the dominion of Satan to God’s glorious kingdom. You’ve been gifted forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus.  With Christ Jesus as the one who quenches your thirst, you are prepared for eternal life. No wonder Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” His people daily seek Him, thirsting for His comforting words of forgiveness. His people are never disappointed.

And guess what!?! Rivers of living water of life flow from within you to the world, as your crucified and risen Lord’s “power from on high” empowers you as it empowered God’s people on Pentecost Day. The rivers of living water flow from you to your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren, etc., as they’ve received baptism, as they have been taught the saving River (who is Christ Jesus). The rivers of living water flow from you as you comfort those who mourn, so that they may know that their believing loved ones are in paradise with Jesus. You have quenched the thirst of many whenever you have openly displayed your Christianity. The rivers of living water flow from you as you prayed with your family and friends. The waters pour from you as the Lord gifts you power to speak of Jesus to others. You find yourselves praying, “Use my voice to proclaim you, the Christ of eternal satisfaction.”  Pentecost is very much active within you through the precious gift of Gospel proclamation.

We have suffered drought conditions this spring, which has caused fire danger. Water is vitally important in this world. Rains of water, rivers of water, lakes of water are such a blessing.

Just so, Jesus has given you to be a part of the flowing of the Gospel into the world through which hearts are enlivened by the Spirit’s power. From your heart and through your mouth, flows forth the Gospel of Christ crucified and raised, spreading the life of Jesus to lost sinners in eternal need.

And yet, their salvation isn’t always our priority. We occasionally (or perhaps more than occasionally) have been happy to experience this water of life coming to us and quenching our thirst for salvation. Concern about another’s salvation doesn’t always make our agenda. The sinful nature that floods forth from us often turns our heart away from the redemption of another soul and lures us to be urgent about anything else. We are frequently insatiable in our thirst for that which we think really quenches, but has nothing to do with the salvation of lost souls. We often thirst for worldly satisfaction. Rivers of life don’t always flow from our hearts, but torrents of greed as we thirst for money, reputation, or possessions. Perhaps… perhaps… we have worked hard for these things and now it’s time to simply kick back, relax, and watch the beautiful sunset on a lake. Pentecost seems to be sometimes shut down by us. It’s the right time to say, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner who isn’t always so wild about Pentecost.”

But the Lord of Pentecost has come for your salvation. He loves you. From Him has flowed to you rivers of life, designating you to be His child forever. The Lord is so rich in abundant, overflowing love for you that Jesus, the well of eternal life, experienced miserable lowliness for you. Christ Jesus, the very water of salvation, laid down His life for you, for your pardon, peace, and salvation. From the crucified Lord, through His Word of promise has flowed the forgiveness of all your sins. Every hammer blow that nailed the Lord (the water of life) to the cross means the forgiveness of your sins. Every drop of blood that flowed from His wounds means the healing medicine of life-giving water for you eternally. None of your sins will ever be counted against you. The Lord’s love for you from His cross and empty tomb means your eternal deliverance. You have been washed with the Lord’s flowing water of grace. You have been named His child. The Lord guides you to glorious springs of living water. Your thirst for His forgiveness is quenched right now, “Your sins are forgiven.” You are saved for eternity by means of precious water of flowing rivers freely given you without price.

Now, the Lord beautifully adjusts our priorities. Filled with forgiveness, life, and salvation forever, we find ourselves thirsting to share the Great News of Christ with everyone.  We feel within us the flowing waters of life that seek to sprinkle the life of Jesus on dead hearts. We want to reveal Jesus to them, for He quenches their thirst. “Use me, Lord, for this worldwide task, that gives life to the world.” The Lord uses us for the witness, as God’s people enjoy His glory.

We really have little idea what is about to be ours on the other side. We will be astounded by what Scripture describes: “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”  But one thing we do know: The Holy Spirit, with His saving power from the cross of Jesus, has guaranteed our residency there through faith in the Lord’s promises. We are filled with life forever. We are also part of the greatest era of the world’s history, God’s work of harvesting hearts from every nation by means of the waters of paradise—Christ Jesus. He’s the life-giver. You’re the spokespeople, equipped by the “power from on high” with oceans of life-giving, thirst-quenching water. Amen.