Before and After

One of the several ways advertising professionals market a product be it cosmetics or a workout plan, is to show the pictures of individuals before and after the use of that product. More often than not, emphasis is made on the extremely sharp contrast between the two images, all with the intention of playing on the minds of the consumer. 

Last week Sunday we celebrated the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost day. We recall the workings of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the early disciples and how the early church was brought forth. It is however striking to observe the sharp changes that occurred in the lives of the disciples that were present at that time.

Fortunately for us, as believers in this age, we have the privilege of seeing the before and after pictures of the early believers of that era, and how their lives were transformed by the descent of the Holy Spirit. 

Let’s consider the apostle Peter.  Peter was an unlearned fisherman with no training in Mosaic Law or Greek, the scholarly language of that time. He was often impulsive and zealous in his actions, and this can be seen in how he was usually the first to speak up, for instance in Matthew 16: 14-16 “¹⁴ They answered, “Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And some say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

¹⁵ Then Jesus said to his followers, “And who do you say I am?”

¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

In that same chapter, we see how he takes Jesus aside to rebuke him in Mathew 16:22.

In Matthew 26:33-35 : “³³ Peter answered, “All the other followers may lose their faith in you. But my faith will never be shaken.”

³⁴ Jesus answered, “The truth is, tonight you will say you don’t know me. You will deny me three times before the rooster crows.”

³⁵ But Peter answered, “I will never say I don’t know you! I will even die with you!” And all the other followers said the same thing.”,

We see how Peter assured the Lord that he will never leave him regardless of the circumstance. However, some few hours later, he denied Jesus three times.

Again we are reminded of his over-zealous and impulsive nature in John 18:10 : “¹⁰ Simon Peter had a sword, which he pulled out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

 

However in Acts 2, the day of Pentecost and the in subsequent chapters, we see a different image. Being enabled by the Holy Spirit, we see Peter standing before the crowds of Jewish pilgrims, convincing about three thousand of them that Jesus is the Messiah. We see Peter publicly healing the sick and boldly speaking before the Sanhedrin- the rulers, teachers and elders of the law. We read of Peter in Acts 15 addressing and directing the church in the first church council, in Jerusalem. In his letters to the churches in Asia minor in 1 and 2 Peter, we see the encouragement, guidance and wisdom he imparts to the early believers. From these we can observe was an obvious transformation of the Peter before, to the Peter after.

Saint Paul also stands out in his Before and after images. Paul was a well trained, astute pharisee, with training from Gamaliel, a renowned rabbi. In Philippians 3:5 he refers to himself as a “Hebrew of Hebrews and as being faultless in regards to legalistic righteousness”. His zeal for Judaism was manifest in his actions as he moved from place to place persecuting this new Christian movement. In Acts 26:9 he says “I too, was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth....”and he gave the stamp of approval in the killing of Stephen in Acts 7.  

However in Acts 9, we read of how Saul was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit with his experience in Damascus. Acts 9: 17-19 reads “¹⁷ So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road when you came here. He sent me so that you can see again and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell off Saul’s eyes. He was able to see! Then he got up and was baptized. ¹⁹ After he ate, he began to feel strong again”. The evidence of his transformation is seen through the scriptures with the many letters he wrote to the early believers and how now, we consider these writings to be pivotal in our theology, worship and pastoral life.

Many examples can be given for these Before and After scenarios from scripture and also from the lives of the saints. But the question that pertains is, can we as individuals describe our Before and after images? As we have invited the Holy spirit to come into our hearts and be stirred up in us on several occasions, how have we allowed Him to transform our lives? Are we still remaining in our old ways and comfort zones? 

Today the Lord is drawing our minds to a transformative relationship with the Holy spirit, such that our lives become totally reliant on Him. He is asking us to yield ourselves over to the Holy spirit, that we would only move when He moves. He is asking us to search the depths of our hearts and remove the barriers we have placed in His way. He is asking us to rise up and declare like Mary in Luke 1:38 that “... Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word”

I strongly believe that the transformation of Saints Peter and Paul was a gradual process, where they had to learn to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in carrying out the various tasks the Lord brought their way. Jesus said in John 14: 17 that “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” Like Peter and Paul, we are being asked as Christians of this age to say yes to the promptings of the Spirit. Those promptings that urge us to give up a certain habit or share a word with a dear colleague at work or in school. Those promptings that urge us to stand in the gap and intercede in prayer for family and friends; Those promptings that urge as to volunteer at that charity or to make that financial pledge even in the midst of scarcity. For the more we learn to say yes to Him, the more we would recognise Him when He speaks.

 

Even as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit we can be assured that He will lead us to achieve the purposes that the Lord Himself has planned for our lives, and like Peter and Paul we will be true ambassadors of Christ and our before and after transformation would serve as an encouragement to others.

 I pray that we will avail ourselves everyday to the Holy Spirit and that we will consistently seek to have a deeper relationship with Him.

So shall we all pray; 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth

 

Amen.