Pentecost
23
lives to the loveliness of Christ’s character. Oh, if they could but have
the past three years to live over, they thought, how differently they
would act! If they could only see the Master again, how earnestly
they would strive to show Him how deeply they loved Him, and how
sincerely they sorrowed for having ever grieved Him by a word or an
act of unbelief! But they were comforted by the thought that they were
forgiven. And they determined that, so far as possible, they would
atone for their unbelief by bravely confessing Him before the world.
[37]
The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet
men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead
sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the
supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship. They
drew nearer and nearer to God, and as they did this they realized what
a privilege had been theirs in being permitted to associate so closely
with Christ. Sadness filled their hearts as they thought of how many
times they had grieved Him by their slowness of comprehension, their
failure to understand the lessons that, for their good, He was trying to
teach them.
These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The
disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy
unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not
ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with
the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was
to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had
promised.
During the patriarchal age the influence of the Holy Spirit had
often been revealed in a marked manner, but never in its fullness. Now,
in obedience to the word of the Saviour, the disciples offered their
supplications for this gift, and in heaven Christ added His intercession.
He claimed the gift of the Spirit, that He might pour it upon His people.
“And when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all
with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from
heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where
they were sitting.”
[38]
The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness
that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power
to His church. It was as if for ages this influence had been held in
restraint, and now Heaven rejoiced in being able to pour out upon