June 8, 2025 on the Church calendar was Pentecost Sunday.
In the Old Testament, the Feast of Pentecost was the second of three feasts established by God that the nation of Israel would observe annually.
Exodus 23:14-17 (Amplified Version), “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast [dedicated] to Me. You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. No one shall appear before Me empty-handed [but you shall bring sacrificial offerings]. Also [you shall observe] the Feast of Harvest [Weeks, Pentecost, or First Fruits}, acknowledging the first fruits of your labor, or what you sow in the field. And [third] the Feast of Ingathering [Booths or Tabernacles] at the end of the year when you gather in [the fruit of] your labors from the field. Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.”
The first feast is to remember the Lord’s Passover when “…I [the Lord] will pass through the land of Egypt {Exodus 12:12,13} on this night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal; against all the god’s of Egypt I will execute judgments [exhibiting their worthlessness]. I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on[the doorposts of] the houses where you live; when I see the blood I shall pass over you, and no affliction shall happen to you when I strike the land of Egypt. [I Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:8]” (Amplified Version) {insert mine}
The remembrance of Passover (the feast of Unleavend Bread) is a foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ; where the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ (God’s Passover Lamb), shed His blood for the sin of the world. (John 1:29) (inserts mine)
Let us read the testimony of John the Baptist written by the Apostle John.
“The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! [Exodus 12:3, Isaiah 53:7] “This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I and priority over me, for He existed before me.’ I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah]; but I came baptizing in water so that He would be publicly revealed to Israel.” John gave [further ] evidence [testifying officially for the record, with validity and relevance], saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. [Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:22,23] I did not recognize Him [as the Messiah], but He (God) who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this One is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ “I myself have [actually] seen [that happen], and my testimony is that this is the Son of God!” ” {John 1:29-34 Amplified Version} (insert mine)
Prior to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Jesus met in an Upper Room to celebrate the Passover Feast with His disciples.
Can we even begin to understand the magnitude of the internal conflict in Jesus that is pulsating through every fiber of His being?
The outworking of that internal struggle affecting His body,soul, and spirit was manifested in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. (Matthew 26:36-46)
Recounting the events of Jesus’ life, we know that His internal unrest had been increasing in intensity since He set ‘His face’ toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51) to participate in the Feast of Passover, and die on the cross.
Jesus knew why He had come incarnated to earth and took upon Himself a human body.
Jesus celebrates His last Passover meal with His disciples in an Upper Room of someone’s household.
In the Upper Room, Jesus tells His disciples that His time to ‘leave’ has come.
‘leave’, what is He talking about?
The disciples are unable to grasp what this means.
In His discourse with them, Jesus shares that even though He is personally leaving He will not leave them alone.
This, too, are difficult words for them to comprehend.
Things are becoming ‘muddled’.
The context of what Christ is sharing and what transpires in the Upper Room is recorded in John 13:1-16, followed by prayer to His Father in chapter 17.
The Upper Room account in the Gospel of John plus what is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke gives us an understanding of what took place between Christ and His disciples during their celebration of the Passover Meal.
In the Upper Room (Gospel of John), one of the many important moments between Jesus and His disciples centers on the following question.
Q: What is the importance of Jesus repeatedly assuring them about the coming of the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit?
Remembering what John the Baptist had said, “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33, NKJV)
Q:Who is John the Baptist referring to?
A: Jesus.
Jesus, the Lamb of God ,who takes away the sin of the world is recognized as the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
At this time I am asking you to lay aside your doctrinal positions regarding Jesus and the baptism in/with the Holy Spirit.
I want us to focus on this?
What is Jesus’ purpose for telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit is coming?
or,
Why is it important for us to understand the importance of Jesus telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit will be coming ? (emphasis mine)
It unlocks the meaning of Jesus’ words to Peter after his confession of faith in Christ.
{This will be the emphasis of Part 2 of this post.}
The context of Peter’s confession of faith is found in Matthew 16:13-28.
Reading, Matthew 16:13-18…20-23 Amplified Version:
“Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “[Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20] And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I say to you that you are *Peter, and on this rock** I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. [Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18]…Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) {emphasis mine}
{*Gr petros, a small or detached stone. **Gr petra, bedrock or a huge rock. Jesus uses a simple play on the Greek words petros and petra in this verse.}
Please follow along with me.
Understanding the coming of the Holy Spirit is critical to the continuation of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ following His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to His Father.
At this moment in the Upper Room, Jesus’ words, regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit, will assuage (ease) the disciples’ experience of being separated from Him.
What did Jesus tell His disciples regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit?
In the Gospel of John (Chapters 14,15,16) there are three main discourses spoken by Jesus. (insert mine)
{The following passages are from the Amplified Version, unless so noted.}
Please read the account in John 14.
Chapter 14 is divided into three sections: John 14:1-6 is entitled “Jesus Comforts His Disciples”; John 14:7-15 is entitled “Jesus’ Oneness with the Father”; John 14:16-28 is entitled “Role of the Spirit”.
The sequence is progressive.
First of all, Jesus, knowing their present and future emotional state; comforts them; telling them where He is going; and assuring them that one day, they, too, will be with Him in the Presence of the Father.
Second, He explains to them the Oneness between Himself and His Father. He forthrightly says, I am so ‘One’ with the Father that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.(Matthew 14:9) They didn’t know how to process that thought. (insert mine)
That Oneness is beyond us too! {See Hebrews 1:1-4}
Third, He focuses their attention on His care for them; telling them that He, Himself, will ask His Father, to send a Helper for them, since He is leaving them. He reiterates that the Helper is the Holy Spirit.
It is here that He explains the ‘Role of the Spirit’.
Jesus says in verse 16-19…26; “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate,Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever–the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him because He(the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans[comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come back to you. After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also….But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in my place, to represent Me,and act on My behalf, He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. [Matthew 5:7, 13, 24,25; Luke 24:59; John 14:16; Acts 1:4] {emphasis mine}
{Did you see the interaction between the Trinity, the Godhead?}
Please read the second account in John 15
This sequence is progressive.
Chapter 15 is divided into three sections: John 15:1-11 is entitled, “Jesus is the Vine-Followers are Branches”; John 15:12-17 is entitled, “Disciples’ Relation to Each Other”; John 15:18-27 is entitled, “Disciples’ Relation to the World”.
First, the disciples are told about their relationship with Him as a vine and branch.
Jesus is the Vine; we are the branches.
Second, the disciples are told what Jesus expects from them as His disciples. Verse 17 says, “This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.”
Third, the disciples are told what to expect from the world as followers of Him.
In this section, Jesus assures them again about the Holy Spirit and His role in their lives.
John 15:23-27 says, “The one who hates Me also hates the Father {remember John 14:7-15, Jesus told His disciples about His Oneness with the Father}. If I had not done the works (attesting miracles) which no one else [ever] did, they would not have [the guilt of their sin]; but now [the fact is that ] they have both seen [these works] and have hated Me [and continue to hate Me and My Father as well. But [this is so] that the word which has been written in their Law would be fulfilled, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ [Psalms 35:19; 69:4] “But when the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby] comes whom I will send to you from the Father, He will testify of Me and bear witness about Me. But you will testify also and be My witnesses from the beginning.” {inserts mine} {emphasis mine}
Please read the account in John 16.
This sequence is progressive.
John 16 is divided up into four sections: John 16:1-4 is entitled, “Jesus’ Warning”; John 16:5-15 is entitled, “The Holy Spirit is Promised”; John 16:16-22 is entitled “Jesus’ Death and Resurrection”; John 16:23-33 is entitled, “Prayer Promises”.
First, Jesus warns His disciples of what will be the natural consequences of following Him as a disciple. He tells them what to expect “so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away.” (John 16:1 )
Jesus is warning them not to be offended by how they are treated for following Him. Don’t allow the words hurled at you on My account become an offense or (personal) stumbling block and fall away from the faith.
Second, Jesus reiterates (verse 7) the promise of the coming of the Third Person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit.
Jesus has been preparing them for His literal, physical departure back to His Father.
He knows that this is going to devastate them.
He is assuring them, even though they do not understand it yet, that His physical departure will result in His Spiritual return to them.
How can this be?
Quoting the MacArthur Study Bible, pg 1614, regarding the Promise of the Holy Spirit’s coming, it reads (verses 14:18,19 NKJV) “I will come to you…you will see Me. First, He was referring to His resurrection, after which they would see Him (20:19-29). There is no record that any unbelievers saw Him after He rose (1 Corinthians 15:1-9). In another sense, this has reference to the mystery of the Trinity. Through the coming and indwelling of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Jesus would be back with His children. (16:16; cf Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:9; I John 4:13)”
Jesus ascended back into heaven in ‘bodily’ form; and He will ‘spiritually’ descend into those who accept Him as their Savior.
Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit.
Please read John 16:14-18.
Third, to backup His previous comments about returning to His Father, Jesus elaborates on His death and resurrection.
Throughout this passage, Jesus, knowing their internal emotional state, continues to reassure them that He will come to them again after His death, burial, and resurrection.
In John 16:22, He pinpoints their ’emotions’ with these words, “So for now you are in grief; but I will see you again, [then] your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away from you your [great] joy.”
(This is not referring to His second coming.)
In the fourth section, Jesus closes His final words sharing the privileges that await for them in prayer.
Consider the following assurances: verse 23, “in that day”, “I assure you”, “whatever you ask in My name”; verse 24, “Until now”, “ask…keep on asking”; verse 26, “In that day”, “I will ask”.
We must understand this, that these privileges of prayer are conditional upon our obedient relationship to Him.
Summarizing our thoughts.
What has been the purpose of Jesus gathering together with His disciples during these last few precious hours He had with them?
It was a time to celebrate the Passover Feast according to the Law.
The keeping of this Feast became a gathering place for Jesus’ final words to prepare His disciples for what is about to take place.
Our emphasis has been that He is leaving and the Holy Spirit is coming.
But we know that much more than this has been taking place.
What are the implications?
This is happening just hours before His betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
This Passover has had many dramatic moments; it has a dramatic ending: but it also initiates an incredible new beginning.
There is much that is talked about, modeled, and set in motion in John 13:1-17, that is very significant, revolutionary, sobering, and crucial for the on going work of the ministry of Jesus Christ, and the building of His Church.
The Passover Meal has been an instructional time to lay the foundation for the ‘major change curve’ facing the lives of His disciples; the religion of the Jewish nation; the salvation of humanity; the victory over sin and death; and the dethroning of Satan’s authority.
All of this is made possible through Christ’s death on the C.R.O.S.S.
C.R.O.S.S. – Christ Reconciled Our Sinful State
And it has been accomplished by God”s G.R.A.C.E.
G.R.A.C.E – God’s Redemptive Activity Changed Everything
This post has been focusing on one significant aspect of Jesus’ final remarks to His disciples.
His remarks centered on the coming of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:28-33 are the closing words of Jesus to His disciples. He says to them, “I have come from the Father and come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father. His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly to us and not in figures of speech! Now we know that You know all things, and have not need for anyone to question You; because of this we believe [without any doubt] that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now [at last] believe? Take careful notice: an hour is coming, and has arrived, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, leaving Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you will have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] {Amplified Version}
Jesus closes the Upper Room discourse with a prayer (John 17) to His Father.
This prayer is referred to, as His ‘High Priestly Prayer’.
I recommend that you read John 17.
John 18:1, Amplified Version, “HAVING SAID these things, Jesus left with His disciples and went across the ravine of the Kidron. There was a garden there, which He and disciples entered.”
Part 2 asks this question:
Is there something more important for us to understand and to embrace than the coming of the Holy Spirit that we need to give our attention to?
Yes.
END OF PART 1.
50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, Jerusalem is celebrating Pentecost.
Living Words of Encouragement 