Scripture readings: Genesis 11:1-11; Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
Reflection by Jeff Koch
“The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Spirit of God dwelling within us, Alleluia!”
I have included the Genesis reading with Sunday’s readings, to set a thought as a foundation to this reflection. In Genesis we see that mankind turned from God and no longer living in the tree of life but now turning to themselves and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, as a result, they were removed from the garden. So, afterwards things worsened. Then the flood when, “the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) Soon after the flood as life was reestablished on dry land, humanity, “thought with one language and speech, using the same words,” And in that unity, they continued to do things their own way, without God’s input. Case in point, after the flood, God told the people, as he had done in the garden, “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” But we see in Genesis 11, they decide they will not fill the earth, but said, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:3-4) This plan of man, would not accomplish the plan God had for them; to with the one language and the same words, fill the earth. It says that having this same language and speech would allow them to accomplish anything they put to their mind, yet in the way of broken understanding, and rebellion from God, without His input and guidance, and plan. That would be a disaster. But wouldn’t it be great if they could fill the earth, all saying the same thing, being of one mind and thought! (remember that)
So, God came down and confused their languages so they couldn’t understand each other and in their confusion of languages they would be dispersed from this land and would accomplish God’s desire for His people to fill the earth. But I think God had something in mind for another time to redeem the world. A time when in their many different languages, they would all hear and speak the same thing, and those from these different places, all over the world, could hear that one thing.
Fast forward to Pentecost, this Jewish festival to celebrate receiving the law, when God gave them the commandments, the words of God. And now this Pentecost would have a new meaning, as they were filled with the Spirit and brought to the world the reality of the words of God, or more specifically the WORD of God, Jesus. The disciples were told to go and wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came, after that, they were to go to all the nations of the earth with the gospel. So, on the 50th day after the resurrection of Jesus, a sound of a mighty wind came rushing in filling the room they were in, this upper room. And the Spirit came, dividing into tongues of fire and rested on each of them, and they spoke in other languages. And miracle of miracles, the city just happened to be filled with people from many different countries, most assuredly countries that were occupied by the descendants of those who were dispersed to these places at the tower of Babel.
But now while the disciples spoke different languages, all the people hear in their own language, one message, one speech, they hear of the “mighty works of God.” Peter helps them understand that mighty work of God. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:22-24) Wow! A world divided by different languages, was united under Christ, as one, by the one speech, the one message of Jesus Christ. That is the wonder of what God was doing and is still doing today. Tower of Babel reversed for the glory of God!
As believers, we have been gifted in many different ways, and in our different languages, to preach the same single message, the one speech about Jesus Christ. But we have been so divided over this or that, politics, doctrines, opinions and the ways we understand the Bible and church authority. We live in an “us verses them” world. We need to die to ourselves and our wants; and in our different languages, differing gifts, speak the one message of Jesus Christ, Word of God in flesh, lived among us, showing us the Father, calling us back to God. The Spirit can work through us that in our various languages, to speak the one message and be one in Christ. That was Jesus’ prayer in John’s gospel. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21)
We need to stop building our towers and return to the garden relationship, and the tree of life, Jesus! Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. O God, let us have again, the same speech, the one message. And then, maybe we could accomplish any thing that God would want us to do, together; as ONE!
O God, who by the mystery of today’s great feast sanctify your whole church in every people and nation, pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit across the face of the earth and, with the divine grace that was at work when the gospel was first proclaimed, fill now once more the hearts of believers. through our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen!