But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.
Acts 1:8
Bonnie Tyler in her song was looking for a hero and the truth is we all are looking for a hero, in some way or another.
Can you imagine the scientist(s) who finds a vaccine for this virus? Superhero status perhaps, certainly a name even I will be able to remember.
Did you see the veteran who raised millions of pounds by walking around his garden? The NHS staff/care workers etc are all heroes in their own right.
This weekend millions if not billions will be remembering an event called Pentecost (birth of the Christian church) which in itself was a superhero event.
A group of 120 people who were locked in an upper room for fear of the religious authorities would encounter an event that would so transform their lives from fear to boldness that within 60 years their message would sweep across the world.
Today millions of people also claim to have encountered a similar experience in their own lives.
One of my all-time favourite heroes was and is Superman. I could not hear the name Christopher Reeves without thinking of Superman. His name was synonymous with the character.
In the Superman mythology, his father’s name is Jor-El, and Superman’s Kryptonian name is Kal-El. The connection here is the extension of the name, “El” In Hebrew, “El” literally means “God.”
This is no mistake. In fact, the creators of Superman (Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) were Jewish. Although at first it was spelt “Kal-L” it was very soon changed to “El.” So it is obvious I believe that they are making a religious connection here to reflect Superman’s very name shows he has power and might.
Well, the event of Pentecost is just that in reality, power and might that came into that room, and today is still empowering people with power and might. His name is the Holy Spirit.
So who is the Spirit? What does the Spirit do? How can you and I encounter that same Spirit in such power and might that would transform our lives?
This week we will look at those questions and I hope you will have a new encounter or perhaps even a fresh encounter with the Spirit.
Finally Superman / Holy Spirit
Superman can be found and read about in the Marvel comic. The Holy Spirit can be read about in the Bible.
Superman came from Krypton, The Holy Spirit from Heaven.
Superman was created, the Holy Spirit has no beginning or end, immortal, invisible God only wise.
Superman is definitely fiction, the Holy Spirit is definitely real. I experience Him personally and I hope you do too.