There is the old saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Often we associate that saying with harm that can be done through the words we speak or write. A sword can cause physical injury – even death. But that’s the end of it. A person can even heal from the physical injury. Words, however, can go on forever and can be difficult to heal. The words we speak and write don’t go away. They go on in memories and they go on in history.
In the Old Testament the sword was the main means of the people of God. Israel would go out and defeat their enemies with many times the instruction being to take no prisoner as the enemy was put to the sword.
What we see at Pentecost and the New Testament Church is a shift of power and authority from the sword to the Word. In the first instance we see this with the birth of Jesus that he is the Word of God made flesh.
In the beginning was the Word – the Word was with God and the Word was God; the word became flesh and dwelt with us. So that is the first power shift – God’s Word coming to dwell with us in human form.
At his Ascension Jesus commissions his disciples with authoritative Words: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them – use your words – to obey everything I have commanded you. The Word, again, becoming the central means by which God will now achieve his purpose for the world – not the sword. Last week we also heard at the Ascension that the word was what the disciples were commissioned with. Go to all nations proclaiming repentance and forgiveness of sins. Proclaiming – the word. God’s power and authority revealed in words – I forgive you all your sins.
Likewise today, it is the word that is central to the church’s mission – we call it “Word and Sacrament” ministry. The Sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion – are God’s Word in action. As Luther reminded us – how can water achieve such great things – it is not water alone but water together with God’s Word
Likewise with Holy Communion – how can eating and drinking achieve such great things – it is not the eating and drinking but believing these words – given and shed for me for the forgiveness of sins.
Today, on the day of Pentecost we hear God give power to the Word as the Holy Spirit comes, as promised. “Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability”. So now, filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples are able to proclaim God’s Word with boldness with immediate effect. And so we hear that after Peter’s sermon the people react to his words – When the people heard his words, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
We too have been given the boldness to speak God’s Word. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. As if God were speaking through us.
The words we use are powerful. And they are powerful to heal or to hurt. They can cut to the heart or they can heal the heart. And as we see with Peter, sometimes a word is needed to cut to the heart just as a surgeon’s scalpel needs to cut deep in order to heal. But sometimes the hurt is already there and what is needed is the word to heal even when we might think a word of judgement is needed. Like the woman caught in adultery. She had her accusers – the Pharisees had caught her and applied the Law of Moses. She was hurt.
Jesus uses a word – not against her but against her accusers. Whoever of you is without sin may cast the first stone. They were cut to the heart. They dropped their stones and walked away. As they leave Jesus uses a word to heal her – to heal her heart – neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more. Words to hurt her had already been applied – now words of healing were required.
As we look at our society today we are hearing more and more of the hurt people are carrying. The pain they are bearing. The heaviness of heart particularly in this post lockdown era. We hear of victim blaming a person rather than healing being offered. At Pentecost God sent to us his Holy Spirit. As we read about the work of God through the Holy Spirit, just listen to some examples: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). From today’s Gospel – I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
I find it sad that often the general public usually see the church in 2 ways. They either see us as moralistic – we judge and condemn. Or they see us as a charity. In times of need they will come to us for physical support.
Now that’s not a bad thing. It’s part of what we do. But what about the spiritual work? The spiritual healing?
Think of the Beatitudes:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
That work, as Paul says – highlights that we are children of God, heirs to the eternal Kingdom of God. That everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. In John’s version of the coming of the Holy Spirit he shows that the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of peace: Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
And it’s a peace that comes through them proclaiming forgiveness of sins with God.
The words we use are powerful. Isaiah says about the Word of God we speak: my word that goes out from my mouth will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. So let us be aware of the words we speak – that they are healing words. Let us take the advice of James – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. As the old saying goes – you can’t unring a bell – likewise you can’t unsay words that have caused hurt. If there is conviction needed then the Holy Spirit will do that work also. In fact there are plenty of people outside of the church to do that work – especially Satan, the Accuser.
Let us remember on this Pentecost Day, the Holy Spirit is our comforter so we can bring comfort to others.
And no greater comfort comes that knowing all my sins are forgiven as I call on the name of the Lord and be saved.
