14 May 2023 | YEAR A(I)
They laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17)
Philip was having great success in Samaria. As the result of his preaching and ministry, many Samaritans came to believe in the Lord. Not only that, but unclean spirits were being routed and people were being healed of all kinds of afflictions. Crowds of people were being baptized into Jesus’ death and resurrection and were experiencing the joy of their redemption.
So why did the apostles in Jerusalem even bother to send Peter and John to Samaria? What more could the people possibly need?
The Holy Spirit, that’s what! Just as he had made all the difference for the apostles on the day of Pentecost, so did he make all the difference for the people of Samaria—and for us. What is that difference? Here are some examples.
It is clearly amazing to witness a miraculous healing as the Samaritans did—or even to receive one yourself as some of the Samaritans did. But when the Spirit comes to dwell in you, he can bring healing to your wounded memories and free you from lifelong patterns of sin and guilt and shame.
It’s a good thing to be able to memorize prayers or passages from Scripture. But it’s even more wonderful to have the Spirit alive in you, breathing new life and joy into your heart through these prayers and passages and giving you new insights into his love.
It’s one thing to muster what strength you have to fight sin, but it’s another thing altogether to experience the indwelling Spirit giving you his own grace to say no to temptation and keeping your faith alive in times of difficulty.
The truth is, we need the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, to fill our hearts, and to keep us connected to Jesus. Pentecost is just two weeks away. What do you need the Holy Spirit to do in you?
“Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful. Come, fill my heart!”
Source: The Word Among Us https://wau.org
Comments