Mr. Fred Rogers was a man of many great virtues who has shaped the lives of millions as he taught many great biblical truths to wide audiences. I am reminded during this time between The Ascension and Pentecost of a song that Mr. Rogers shares with us entitled, It’s Hard to Wait:

“I think it's very very very hard to wait
Especially when you're waiting
For something very nice
I think it's very very very hard to wait”

To say that waiting for Pentecost was waiting for something “nice” is a very serious understatement, but nonetheless it’s a sentiment that we can work with. Pentecost was the time of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Christ. The descent of the Holy Spirit on his disciples is of vital significance as our Catechism points out:

  1. How does Jesus heal you? Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, as I continue in repentance and faith, Jesus mends my disordered soul from the effects of sin in my mind, will, and desires. (2 Chronicles 7:12–14; Psalms 25:4–11; 41:4; 103:1–5; 2 Corinthians 3:17–18)

 

  1. What is this healing called? This healing is called “sanctification,” which means to be made whole and holy. By the work of the Holy Spirit, my mind, will, and desires are increasingly transformed and conformed to the character of Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 2; John 17:15–17; Romans 12:1–2; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; Ephesians 2:1–10; 3:14–21)

Without the indwelling Holy Spirit that John the Baptist said would be given through Jesus, we would find ourselves in an awkward state where we are forgiven in the waters of baptism, yet our process of becoming more Christlike would be stunted, as the Holy Spirit is essential in our sanctification.

We should not, however, limit the Holy Spirit to sanctification, because Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit has been working and functioning in God’s Church since the beginning to lead the Church into greater understanding and spiritual truth. We can thank the Holy Spirit for guiding us into the truths as set out in the historic Creeds, and the Spirit continues to guide us today.

Let us pray together this week as we wait (as hard as it is to wait) expectantly for Pentecost this prayer from our Catechism, To Be A Christian:

“Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”