The Holy Spirit: The Clothing of Resurrection

Rev. Tommy Thompson

Pentecost 2010

Acts 2: 1-21

May 23 2010

The Holy Spirit: The Clothing of Resurrection

We had been waiting as Jesus had told us. There was very little sleep for us as we kept vigil those nights…wondering the meaning of the many events that had just taken place in our lives as we awaited the fulfillment of the promise. Will we ever see Jesus again? He ascended into heaven…why did he have to go? What did he mean by asking us to stay here in the city? What is this power from on high that we will have as our new clothing?

Could you imagine the days of waiting that took place? Not knowing when the promise would come to fruition or even what it would be like.

I remember taking Daniel and Hannah to see fireworks a couple years ago. It was a huge event. There was going to be good music, lots of people, good food, and most importantly, a huge fireworks display. We arrived early…well before dark so that we could find some food, and find a good place to get settled for the festivities.

If I had a dollar for every time I heard one of those two little voices ask, “Daddy, when are the fireworks going to come?!”, I’d be a rich man. They were so eager with excitement … “Is it about to start?” “Not yet, Daniel; just be patient, its coming.” “When is the music going to start daddy?” “Don’t worry, Hannah, you’ll get to dance…just be patient.” I can remember the few sideshows that happened before the main performance… you could see it in their eyes… “Is this it?” Then the residents in the community started shooting a few fireworks… “Has it started now, Daddy? Has it?” “You’ll know when the real thing happens, Daniel, you will know…trust me.”

I remember the flash of excitement in Daniel’s eyes…when he knew that his waiting was over…when the real fireworks finally were fired, illumining a perfect summer night. I didn’t have to reach over and tap him and say, “Daniel, pay attention, this is the real thing.” He knew it. Hannah knew it…as her hands cupped over her ears, wondering when the booms would finally end…

I wonder if the disciples experienced a similar situation as we did that night? I wonder how many things happened that made them ask, “Whas that it?” No, … “what about this? is this it?” No…not that either huh…when is it going to finally happen!?

I’m not sure whether or not their vigil was like Daniel and Hannah’s waiting for fireworks, but you can bet your heart that no one had to reach over and tap the disciples after the promise finally came to fruition. There was no mistaking it. The clothing finally arrived…and it enveloped them.

It was a different kind of clothing than that for which they were accustomed. They didn’t have to put it on…they won’t need to take it off before bathing and going to sleep. It was such a different kind of clothing.

They were familiar with robes and tunics, but not clothing that begins on the inside and works its way outward. This is a new kind of clothing…the clothing of the soul, if you will. The clothing that is the remedy for the disease of our sin. The clothing that changes us from the inside out.

This is the clothing of Pentecost…the promise of the Father…being clothed with power from on high. The disciples were all gathered together, different people yet seeking the same clothing. They were waiting with eager anticipation when it finally happened.

The receiving of the new clothing was so amazing…it is unexplainable. The best the disciples could do was to describe what it was like…such an unfathomable mystery…the coming of the Holy Spirit…it makes since that’s the only way we’d be able to describe it…

It was like the sound of a violent, rushing wind…filling the entire room where they were sitting. When this came out of nowhere, they didn’t have to ask, “Is this what we’ve been waiting for?” It was obvious…the Spirit filled not just an individual, but the entirety of the consecrated space.

But it was also like tongues of fire, resting upon each and every individual in the consecrated space. The Spirit who came to clothe the apostles was in all places and in one place at the same time; this must be God!

And it happened…they received their new clothing. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

You ever noticed how we act differently or play differing roles depending upon what kind of clothing we’re wearing? I don’t know about you, but when I have my overalls on, my accent tends to be a little plainer…maybe even a bit more country…but when I have my suit on, well, I talk a little more sophisticated…I walk with my head held up a little higher…when I wear my pajamas, I kinda get in the mode of relaxing…of stretching out on the couch, preparing for a good rest…depending upon the kind of clothes we wear, we tend to take on ourselves different personas.

What kind of persona does one who has been clothed with power from on high take upon herself? hmm…I wonder… [at this time 7 or 8 parishioners will get up from their pews and walk around the church telling folk, “Christ is risen” in languages other than English.]

Wow…that’s what happens? Speech? Well not just any speech, but yes, speech...but speech with more conviction than anyone had ever heard before; speech also known as testimony…testimony also known as giving witness to something…And this speech that was the immediate response to Pentecostal power occurred in varying languages…like we just heard in this space just now.

Now for those clothed in the Spirit to begin going throughout the city speaking in the native languages of all the people who were in the city must have meant that what they were saying was of utmost importance. It needed to be clear. It needed to be intimate. Yes, some of them understood Greek…but it is the native tongue that one learns to speak most clearly and most intimately.

So it wasn’t simply that they were speaking in these varying tongues…no, that was only the means. Pentecost wasn’t about people not being able to understand the language of the Spirit. It was about speaking the language of the Spirit to everyone who would listen; though, admittedly, many could not comprehend yet.

What is the language of the Spirit? What were these disciples speaking about with such joyful conviction? They said something of note…I mean all who heard it, none left out, were amazed and perplexed…bewildered…

Maybe a translation from our speakers of the day would be helpful. Tell us, what were you all saying in those various languages? Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That’s what they were talking about!? That’s the language of the Spirit! … It makes sense. I mean it was the Risen Jesus who, before he ascended, told the disciples, “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

It makes sense that this is what the Spirit-filled were speaking about with such joyful conviction. Acts 2:11 does record the astonished and amazed crowd telling us why they are so perplexed, so amazed: In our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

Brothers and sisters, this is what the clothing of Pentecost does to us. It changes us from the inside out. We who were once only witnessing to the age ruled by the evil powers are now clothed as embodiments of the incarnate and risen Son of God…we who once were no people become the body of the ever crucified Lamb of God who reigns for ever and ever!

So today we gather round this font, the wardrobe of the new creation. When you take off the clothing of the world that is passing away and allow the Spirit to clothe you in the power of resurrection, you take on a new persona…the persona of the Holy Spirit who is the clothing of resurrection. You join the people of God as the body of Christ giving testimony to the new life that His resurrection has opened for us and for the entire world.

The Spirit is the clothing of resurrection and today Carter will receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit in the waters of baptism. As we covenant together to grow into this clothing, we will teach Carter how to properly wear his clothing in the world for the sake of the risen Christ who has saved us.

May the Spirit continue to mold us to fit more and more into our Easter clothes, brothers and sisters so that we might continue to faithfully witness to the new creation that Jesus resurrection has opened to the world He was sent to save.

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Amen.