Chapter 17: The Light Of That Day
Chapter 17: The Light Of That Day
"When the Day of Pentecost was fully come." - Acts 2.
IF THE STORY of Acts i. and ii. had been dropped out of the earliest MSS., and the book had begun with chapter iii., we should have been compelled to believe that some event of unparalleled interest and importance had occurred to account for the astounding alteration in Peter and the rest of the apostles, from what we had seen them to be during the closing days of Christ's ministry, and to the very slopes of the Ascension Mount.
You cannot have an effect without a cause, and without an adequate cause. If at one moment you see a train of carriages standing quietly on the rails, and in five minutes after you see them moving rapidly, you instantly infer the existence of a power, which was formerly quiescent, in active operation. So the contrast between Luke xxiv. and Acts iii. demands such an explanation as is given us in Acts i. and ii. Let the mind of a thoughtful man be confronted with the Church and account to us for the marvelous momentum she received at the time of Christ's ascension, and let it find a more adequate explanation, if it can, than that which is given in the story of the advent of the Holy Spirit to the little assembly in the upper room.
In Luke, the disciples were too slow of heart to understand the Scriptures; in the earlier chapters of the Acts we are amazed at the multitude and variety of Scripture quotations, and the unerring accuracy with which they are applied.
In Luke, they tremble and flee before their Master's captors, and Peter especially plays the part of a coward; but, behold, they stand firm as rocks, and charge their judges with the murder of the Messiah.
In Luke, they have bitter sorrow, half-hearted enthusiasm, little power with God or man; but in the Acts we read: "The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
If only you would claim your share in the blessings which the Day of Pentecost brought to them that were afar off (Gentiles), as well as to them that were near (Jews), and to all whom the Lord our God should call unto Him - blessings which are as unexhausted as though none had ever made use of them; blessings which can be had from the Saviour on the one single condition of accepting and using them - there would be for you also an immediate entrance on the enjoyment of those same privileges which fell to the share of the first disciples. Let us enumerate those priceless gains: -
Insight into Scripture. Words spoken by the prophets, psalms written by the sweet singer, events in the story of the Exodus, will flash with new meaning. The light of that day shall illumine many a dark chamber and intricate passage in the palace of Scripture. When the Spirit who spoke in kings and prophets speaks within us, things which were hidden from the wise and prudent stand revealed to babes. Dark masses of truth, touched by the heavenly fire, yield back the light they caught ages ago from the face of God. The heart is open to understand the Scriptures; the eyes see with a Divine insight. Old chapters seen in the fresh light assume new interest, trivial incidents a new importance, historical events a deeper meaning. The Holy Spirit, like a good householder, brings from the storehouse of Scripture things new and old. As He speaks with us our hearts burn; and to our surprise we find the miracle of the Transfiguration repeated, and the common texture of Holy Writ is radiant with the glory of God.
Great boldness of utterance. A little while ago you trembled like an aspen-leaf before the question of a maid; but when that day breaks you stand like a lion, and are able to charge men with their sin. No hesitancy in speech, no cringing in demeanour, no quailing of the fearless eye. "Him being delivered by the determinate wisdom and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands did crucify and slay"; such is our challenge. "Him hath God exalted by his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour;" such our unhesitating announcement.
Have you reached this stage of holy boldness, so that at your rebuke the wicked man is arrested, the attention of the careless compelled, and the ungodly pricked to the heart? Then be sure that that day has broken. If it be otherwise, your day of Pentecost has not fully come.
Much joy. You may have lost the sensible presence of your dearest friend. Only ten days ago you may have seen him ascend to God; you may have returned to an upper room, every timber in which recalls the presence which has been withdrawn; but when that day has fully come you will be filled with such ecstasy of love, and joy, and hope, as to excite wonder in bystanders.
It will be exhilaration like that of a man filled with new wine. You will take your food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God; you will speak in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God even the Father.
Burning love. Recently I stood by the mouth of a furnace of molten metal prepared for pouring into the mould of a large cylinder. What a contrast between the liquid metal, that dazzled and turned away the gaze, and the dark sand of the mould! But presently the sluice-gate was opened, and the stream of fire began to pour into its prepared bed, and speedily every corner and cranny far beneath my feet had received its infilling. And as I stood above it I loved to think of that mould of fire. This is Pentecost! For years Jesus had been making the mould in the hearts of the disciples; but when He left them it was little more than an empty void - capacious, hungry, but empty. When the Day of Pentecost came, He drew back the sluice-gates, and the Holy Spirit, like the liquid fire of the metal, poured into hearts and lives which were prepared and eager.
What that day was to the disciples it is to everyone. Before, there may be orthodoxy of creed, punctilious regularity in the performance of religious duty, correctness in behaviour and speech; but that is all. Wait till that day breaks, and that God, who is fire, and strength, and purity, and, above all, love, fills heart and life. Then the love of God is shed abroad by the Holy Ghost, and the love wherewith the Father loved the Son is in us, and He is in us, according to his High-Priestly prayer.
Power with God and man. See those crowds swaying beneath Peter's simple words! You cannot account for the effect by what he said. Half his address was quotation. He told the story of Calvary, which they knew; and of the Resurrection, which was startling and strange. He dilated on the Accension, and his Master's reception of the Holy Spirit. There was nothing in what he said to account for the marvelous result of three thousand being added to the Lord. The only explanation of the marvel was that he had been with God, that the day of Pentecost had fully come, and that the power of God Himself was pouring through the open flood-gates of his soul. Such power is within your reach, if you would only go forth and stand in the meridian light of the Day of Pentecost.
Of that day Christ is the Day Star. The Latins called the morning star Lucifer, because it seemed to bring the day. Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star; He has received the Holy Spirit from the Father, that He may communicate Him to all who are united with Him by a living faith. Deal with Him; ask Him to shed this blessed gift upon you; receive it by faith, and reckon that it is yours; be sure that the day has broken, even though you have detected no footfall of its stealthy entrance. You undoubtedly received the Spirit at regeneration, else you had not been able to call Christ Lord; but there is something more to be had, as much better than this as sunlight is than starlight-the full coming of the Day of Pentecost.