June 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Acts 2:16–21

Devotional

Do not miss the miracle of Pentecost! The Spirit of God was poured out on human flesh. Yes, this was a miracle! How can there be communion between the Spirit of God and our human flesh? They are opposed to each other and cannot bear one another. The Spirit is holy and pure; the flesh is sinful and defiled.

What is flesh? It is not only perishable matter; it is also depraved matter. It was not created depraved, but it became such through sin. Flesh became the dwelling place of sin. Malignant anger, bad thoughts, and unclean desires live in human flesh. Those who have been exposed to this truth say with the apostle Paul, “For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing” and “I am carnal, sold under sin.” These are the workings of the flesh. This is the existence of the flesh. In human flesh are the urges and desires of the heart and every inclination to sin. Hatred smolders within. Evil lurks with the flesh and selfishness rages out of control. They who are in the flesh cannot please God. They only please themselves.

How is it then possible that the Holy Spirit descends upon sinful flesh? When Samson lived according to his flesh, the Spirit departed from him. Still, the Spirit came miraculously upon human flesh at Pentecost. People saw and heard it happening. This event was called the Day of Pentecost. This miracle can never be explained in terms of human flesh, but only through the work of Christ.

The miracle of Pentecost can only be explained in connection to the miracle of Christmas. The Spirit of God descended on flesh because the Son of God descended in the flesh. This is the same flesh as that of Samson, out of which the Spirit was departed. The Son first took this flesh upon Himself, but with no sin, so that He would be able to pay the ransom price in this flesh. This happened when His flesh was nailed to the cross. Moreover, He also rose in this flesh after He had paid the guilt of the flesh. The basis of the miracle of Pentecost lies in the work of the Mediator. Pentecost could not have occurred if there had been no Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.