Pentecost -- what is it really all about anyway?
The birth - death - burial - resurrection and ascension of Jesus ... was that it?
Was it just to get me out of Hell and into Heaven? Of course not; I'm not worth it. The Divine purpose was to get God out of Heaven and into me. How could that possibly be done? By everything Jesus did and by what it led up to -- Pentecost! The Holy Spirit could not come until Jesus had won the victory and been glorified but after that, nothing could prevent the blessing of Abraham from coming on every individual who would believe (Galatians 3:14). That blessing is God's promise that the Holy Spirit would be restored to the human spirit and we would come spiritually alive, invaded by the very Life of Christ. The only One Who ever lived the life that pleases God was Jesus. Finally, for the first time since Adam fell, God had a Man Who was willing to let God be God in the man. That's still the open secret of victory. God in Christ and Christ in us, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit living His Life in and through us.
As we are conformed to the image of God's dear Son, slowly but surely the Divine image is being restored in us... until, oh until, when we see Him we shall be like Him (I John 3:2) and the restoration will be completed. Everything Jesus did - bore - suffered ... is the staggering, incomprehensible price He paid for Pentecost. Pentecost is the pinnacle and we must never separate it from the victory of Calvary and the glory of the Resurrection.
How good to know that we don't have to try to follow in Jesus' steps -- He walks in our shoes! Considering the full meaning of Pentecost in the light of all that led up to it, adds a fresh flavour of joy to our reflection and meditation during Lent and a new zest for LIFE.