Pentecost is far more than an event in the past. It is our present reality happening week in and week out.
On the Day of Pentecost, most preachers will focus on Acts 2, but there is a good reason to consider using the Gospel text. Our Lord’s words in John 14 are the promise that the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost fulfills. This text provides the preacher with more than the miraculous event of the proclamation in various tongues. It gives the grounding reason for and the theological necessity of Pentecost.
The disciples are currently in the upper room to celebrate the Passover with Jesus. He has shocked them all by taking up the role of servant and washing their feet. The new commandment has been given: “Love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (13:34). And though the hour for His glory has come, He has promised them He will not leave them as orphans. Instead, He tells them He will send another Helper who will be with them forever, the Spirit of Truth.
All this flows into our text today. Jesus has promised His disciples that, “He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (14:21). And Judas (not Iscariot) asks an important question: “How is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world” (14:22)? It is our Lord’s answer to this question which is now before us. If He is the Messiah, should His manifestation not be a public thing? How is it the world will not know? In many ways, this is the ongoing struggle of the faithful to this day, rooted in the simple proclamation of the Apostle Paul that “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17).
So, Jesus says, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words” (14:23-24). The manifestation of Christ is rooted in the keeping of His Word. Note that the word translated “keep” is from the Greek word τηρέω, which means to guard or attend. The focus is not so much on obedience, but on the idea that the Word is treasured and even protected by those who love Him.
The manifestation of Christ is rooted in the keeping of His Word.
But perhaps it is easy, or easier, to treasure our Lord’s words while He is with them. Indeed, our ability to remember all His words will decrease the further we get from the moment He spoke them. Hence, the importance of the Pentecost events. So, Jesus declares, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all I have said to you” (14:26). This is our ongoing reality, as we confess in Luther’s Small Catechism, “But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” And the intended result of the Spirit’s work is that our hearts are free from trouble and not afraid as we continue on in this age.
A sermon on this text would do well to explore why, despite Jesus’ assurance, we often find our hearts are troubled. What in this age causes fear to seem to rule the day, even for the people of God? You could examine the various voices which stream into our lives, which do their best to drown out the call of the Spirit of Truth. The endless news cycles, the constant bombardment of social media, the political fearmongering that cultivates clicks and likes, all of this and more screams for our attention. In other words, it is not only the Holy Spirit who is calling and gathering disciples.
Here, you can slingshot from this promise of Christ, through the events of Pentecost, and to the means of grace today. The Spirit of Truth has chosen to bind Himself to the Word and Sacraments and to work through these things to teach us here and now. By treasuring such things, we are keeping the Word of our Lord. In this way, we are reminded of the unfolding plan of God’s salvific work. We are not left as orphans. We are baptized, forgiven, fed, and strengthened even as you preach the Word. In the gathering of the faithful around the gifts of God, we regularly resist the trouble and fear of our age.
With a sermon along these lines, Pentecost is far more than an event in the past. It is our present reality happening week in and week out.
God bless your preaching.
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Additional Resources:
Craft of Preaching-Check out out 1517’s resources on John 14:23-31.
Concordia Theology-Various helps from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO to assist you in preaching John 14:23-31.
Lectionary Kick-Start-Check out this fantastic podcast from Craft of Preaching authors Peter Nafzger and David Schmitt as they dig into the texts for this Sunday!
The Pastor’s Workshop-Check out all the great preaeching resources from our friends at the Pastor’s Workshop!
