Joel had his prophecies hundreds of years before Jesus, hundreds of years before Pentecost Sunday. Today, we see the exact text that Peter preached from on Pentecost. Upon all flesh, God will pour out His Spirit on sons and daughters, young and old. No longer is the Spirit just to fall upon the prophet, but it falls upon all persons. Today, you have access to the Holy Spirit. We position ourselves to hear from God, to know from God, to know His Spirit, and we will receive that Spirit. Today, God longs to pour out that Spirit upon you.

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Good morning, and happy Friday! As we approach Palm Sunday weekend, I’m thrilled to embark on Holy Week together. It’s a special time that I always look forward to. Palm Sunday holds a special significance, and I’m excited to walk through Holy Week with you in the coming days.

This week at St. Matthew’s, we have a series of events planned, starting with Palm Sunday worship and followed by an Easter egg hunt at 3:30 PM. Additionally, we’ll be hosting an open house for our new building at 4:00 PM. If you’re interested in seeing our new space, we’d love to have you join us. It promises to be a wonderful day of celebration and fellowship.

As we transition into Holy Week next Monday, our focus will shift towards reflecting on the significance of each day leading up to Easter. Today, however, we’ll conclude our exploration of Chapter 2 of Joel, with Chapter 3 scheduled for the following week.

Let’s delve into verses 28 through 32 of Joel Chapter 2:

“Then afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves in those days I will pour out my Spirit. I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.”

This passage may sound familiar to you, particularly verses 28 through 31, and the beginning of verse 32. It’s a passage often referenced, notably in Acts chapter 2, where Peter quotes it on Pentecost Sunday. While prophets primarily spoke to the present circumstances of their time, this passage offers a glimpse into the future.

God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people, transcending age, gender, and social status. This prophecy finds fulfillment on Pentecost Sunday, signifying the universal accessibility of the Holy Spirit to believers. Salvation hinges on invoking the name of the Lord, a truth reiterated in John 3:16, affirming God’s love for all humanity.

As Christians, we are recipients of this gift of the Spirit, essential for salvation and spiritual growth. We need only to position ourselves to receive it, akin to boxing out in basketball—a deliberate act of readiness. Through prayer, scripture, worship, and participation in sacraments, we create space to encounter the Spirit’s transformative power.

Hundreds of years before Pentecost, Joel’s prophecy foretold this outpouring of the Spirit—a promise that continues to resonate today. I encourage you to remain open to the Spirit’s leading, allowing God to speak and transform your life.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and if you’re in the area, we’d be delighted to have you join us for worship at St. Matthew’s on Sunday. I eagerly anticipate the journey of Holy Week ahead. Have a great day!