Pastor Danny’s message
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you
Isaiah 66:13
COULD THE HOLY SPIRIT BE SPEAKING THROUGH WOMEN?
This is a very interesting month in that we have three holidays taking place: Mother’s Day, Pentecost, and Memorial Day!
I am reminded of the connection that without birth from our mothers many of us would not be walking this Earth! And quite interestingly May 24th as Pentecost is sometimes nicknamed “the birthday of the church”. Could it be in this month ahead that God is trying to tell us something?
The Spirit has been very alive in First UMC in recent months! We have experimented again with our organ and even began to include instruments like tambourines and I keep coming back over and over to this word, awakening that has stuck with me in a conversation at Dinner Church! Are we reminded that the Spirit comes as an advocate to us? John 14:26 shares, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” Whether we look in Isaiah or John there is a promise made to us!
Sometimes our world can get noisy and it is important for us to know where to go; who to turn to; who to trust in… and Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit makes a promise in John and Isaiah said it long beforehand! Now I know not everyone has a great relationship with their mothers, but could we ponder in the month ahead that maybe God’s gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises to send us people in our lives to nurture? People in our lives to help keep us on track? People in our lives who are good role models who may be women?
While we never actually hear Jesus call Mary Magdalene a disciple, we do know she was highly favored and clearly as things started to move toward’s Jesus’ death he asks for others to look after his mother! John 19:26-27 shares, “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” This disciple was John… why not the Rock Peter? Why not the other disciples? No one really knows! In a Holy Spirit way I believe God finds ways to remind us of his presence not only in the form of women, but also by His gift of the Holy Spirit. Happy Mother’s Day and Pentecost! Trust in how the Spirit works in the world and as the church!
-Pastor Danny