Flames

The arrival of the Olympic Flame heralds the approach of the Games - only 10 weeks to go now. The prospect of that great event so close and so 'in your face' for so many weeks will thrill many and bring gloom to many too.

But flames are like that.

In the depths of winter, when we are trying to have some warmth in our front room, we burn some logs, and the warmth and sight of the fire and flames brings some relief! When we we say to a visitor, 'There's a fire in the front room', they may also be warmed by the thought.

But if someone emerges from the front room, screaming, 'There's a fire in the front room!', the reaction will be very different, as we rush to call the Fire Brigade.

One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is fire, and we may wonder why that is so. What sort of 'fire' does the Holy Spirit bring? Is it the comforting gentle fire of some logs going up in smoke, or is it a raging, out of control disaster?
Luke's account is striking. ' On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.' (Acts 2.1-3)

I have no doubt that the roaring wind was terrifying, and I guess the flames over people's were pretty startling too. 'What is going on?' will have been in many minds.

What happened next was not what they might have imagined happening, as they waited for Jesus' promise to be fulfilled. 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1.8)

John the Baptist promised the crowds around him that the baptism that Jesus would bring would be different from the water baptism he was offering. ' John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” (Luke 3.16-17)

John clearly links Jesus' gift of the Spirit with fire - fire to purify and cleanse - and not just to bring a bit of comforting warmth.

Perhaps, in these cold May days, we might reflect on how the Holy Spirit might make us more holy, and like Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard