When God Made His Home in Us
Tyler Jarvis |
June 2, 2025
This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost—a powerful and pivotal day in the Christian calendar. It's not just a historical event; it's a life-changing reality. Pentecost marks the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers, fulfilling Jesus’ promise and forever changing how God dwells with His people.
The Promise of the Spirit
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus spoke of a gift—an Advocate, a Helper—who would come after He returned to the Father. In John 14:16-17, Jesus says:
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth... you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
This promise wasn’t just for the disciples; it was for all who would come to believe in Jesus. It was the beginning of a new way of relating to God—not through a building or a temple, but through His very presence living within us.
From a Temple to a People
In the Old Testament, God's presence was found in specific places—like the Tabernacle or the Temple. Only priests could enter the Holy of Holies, and only under strict conditions. But all of that changed at Pentecost.
In Acts 2, we read about that incredible moment:
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit...” (Acts 2:2,4)
This wasn't just a dramatic event—it was a divine shift. God was no longer dwelling in a place, but in His people. The Apostle Paul later emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 3:16:
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?”
Why It Matters Today
So, what does this mean for you today?
It means that if you’ve put your faith in Jesus—if you’ve confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that He is Lord (Romans 10:9)—then the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you (Romans 8:11).
You no longer have to seek God in a specific place or through specific people. He is with you—always. In your joy and in your pain. In your confusion and in your clarity. In your work, your rest, your waiting, and your worship.
Pentecost reminds us that God didn’t want to just visit us—He wanted to live in us. You are His temple. His Spirit is your constant companion, comforter, and guide.