Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/86

Contributor - Rev. Walter Opmeer

Title - I Wonder...

Topic - Pentecost

Scripture Acts 1:1 4; 2:1-21

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (Acts 1:14)

There were quite a number of different people who had committed themselves to each other and to prayer in the upper room. As I think about that group, I wonder how much they were like us? I wonder if any of them had shift work to contend with like some of us do? Some things, of course, were unique to their day. Jesus had just ascended into heaven before their eyes. Fresh in their memories was that nightmarish Friday morning when the sky turned its blackest black; and also that glorious Sunday morning, when it seemed as if the sun would never stop shining! Now, some forty days later, there were probably some one hundred and twenty different persons who were at the start of a very special prayer meeting. It would end, sort of, about ten days later.

Jesus had told them not to leave Jerusalem until they had received something special that He had promised them; something He knew they needed. But still, I wonder if some of them had to slip out at different times during those days to punch a time clock or at least to put in a midnight shift on the lake to bring in some fish for their next meal? I wonder if some of them didn't know where their next pay cheque was coming from? I wonder if some of the women had to go home occasionally to make a lunch, prepare a dinner, or to do the dishes? The responsibilities of life just don't stop when a prayer meeting begins.

I wonder if some of them came even to this prayer meeting with heaviness, or confusion in their lives. Circumstances don't always change after you hear a sermon, even several weeks of "sermons" by Jesus Himself. I wonder if the would-be disciple who had recently lost a family member and had stayed behind with the burial arrangements was now here among Jesus' followers? I wonder if the rich young "business man" who had been so busy watching the market trends when Jesus had called before, was among them now, still a little unsure what this would mean for his bank account? I wonder if there weren't some there who felt that they were never in the right place at the right time. Whether for love, for balancing the books, or for just fitting in with people, life always seemed to pass them by. I'm sure that some good religious people were there too, having been drawn by Jesus to this diverse group of believers.

And Jesus knew just what each of them needed. It can be a very special experience when you are in a prayer group, large or small. A couple of days ago, four of us met as we sometimes do for prayer. One was facing some decisions that might put her on another continent. Another said she needed to confess some things before God and our group. She did this in a very appropriate way without being too specific. She was also set free from her struggle. The other fellow just wanted to thank God; a young believer whom he had earlier helped to establish in the faith had now been such an inspiration to him when he was down. And I? It was so good to be stopped in my busy tracks by a few prayers spoken by others for me. There is something special about Christian love expressed in prayer, out loud. I hardly wonder if we all don't need more times of prayer like that. I know I do. I wonder if that is how it was for that group in Jerusalem?

But Jesus had something more in mind than just that. He knew that every one of them needed the infusion of God's Holy Spirit into their lives. Only in this way could many others be confronted with the Good News. It seems we can do so many good things in our lives without actually being continually refilled with this gift. Let this be the climax of our prayers. This was the real reason Jesus wanted them to pray together. This was the real reason for Pentecost. This was the real beginning of the church. I wonder what would happen to our churches if our prayer meetings ended more often like theirs did? I wonder sometimes if they were like us, but I also wonder, more importantly, what would happen if we were more like them?

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