The Hostile Environment

When the Holy Spirit came into that room as wind and fire on the Day of Pentecost, there was no sign on the door to guide Him.  The disciples of Jesus who were in the habit of gathering there most likely were doing little to advertise their whereabouts.  After all, there were in a city filled with folks who had cried for the crucifixion of Jesus and religious authoritarians whose poison had fueled the crowds still roamed the streets.  It goes without that saying those followers of Jesus were gathering in a hostile environment.  

After the Spirit showed up to bless and give life to something completely new, Peter and those who were with him walked out the door which might have seemed like some measure of protection into those streets still hostile to Jesus.  As soon as they appeared out there speaking the language of so many different folks, they were accused of being drunk on wine.  The crowd who met the disciples out in the street did not seem to be eager to listen to a sermon about Jesus people.  Yet, such is exactly what they heard from the one who had been so afraid on the night Jesus was taken into custody by the authorities.   

While we still have the freedom to preach about Jesus, when it is done seriously, it is not likely to be regarded as a relevant word by those in the streets of this present age.  A little Jesus goes a long way today.  And when the preaching about Jesus starts cutting across the grain of what is perceived as the greater wisdom representing the common consensus, the same hostile environment which surrounded the post Pentecost preachers once again surfaces.  It is now as it was then.  Being in the presence of the wind and fire is needed for bold preaching and faithful witness.