My Shibboleth Blog: Hallowed Eve

It’s almost Halloween—the time when our nation celebrates goblins and ghosts. Maybe our American preoccupation with the frightful side of the spirit world is why the Holy Ghost always seemed so terrifying to me as a kid. Thankfully, this is not the case anymore, as I realize the Holy Spirit is a beautiful transcendent expression of sensing God’s presence or nearness. The term “Holy Spirit” is actually a better translation into modern language than “Holy Ghost” for the Hebrew phrase “Ruach HaKodesh”. See the excerpt below from WikiPedia:

In Judaism, the references to The Spirit of God, or “Ruach HaKodesh, abound. The term ruach ha-kodesh (Hebrew: רוח הקודש, "Holy Spirit" also transliterated ruah ha-qodesh) occurs once in Psalm 51:11 and also twice in the Book of Isaiah. Those are the only three times that the precise phrase "ruach hakodesh" is used in the Hebrew Scriptures, although the noun ruach (רוח, literally "breath" or "wind") in various combinations, some referring to God's "Spirit", is used often. The noun ruach, much like the English word breath, can mean either wind or some invisible moving force.

In the Greek, the Holy Spirit is defined by the word “Paraclete”, see WikiPedia description below:
Paraclete comes from the Koine Greek word παράκλητος (paráklētos, that can signify "one who consoles or comforts, one who encourages or uplifts; hence refreshes, and/or one who intercedes on our behalf as an advocate in court")

The best way I can describe the Holy Spirit, to someone who has no idea what I am talking about, is to try this exercise: Get someone you love dearly to do this test. Shut your eyes and then ask them to put their face as close as possible to your face without actually physically touching your skin or making a sound. You will be able to absolutely sense their presence even without any other sensory clues. Now, imagine this Presence as the greatest Comforting feeling you have ever experienced. That’s the nearest I can come to explaining the Holy Spirit to those who haven’t yet had a “close encounter” with the Almighty.

In a recent previous blog, (“You’re Once, Twice, Three Times Our God”, dated October 23rd), I outlined the triune nature of God. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One and the same—just different personages of God. This should be a concept that is easy for us to grasp since we readily accept that human beings are also comprised of three parts: body, mind and soul. Since, the scriptures tell us that we are created in the image of God—this ought to make perfect sense to us.

But WHY did God express Himself in three different forms? I’m not sure I can be so presumptuous as to answer this question FOR the Maker of the Universe, but I can answer it from the perspective of why I believe WE need all three.

1) The God of the Old Testament is The Law-giver. The Judge. He’s “fiery”, Huge and intimidating. This “side” of God allows us to understand Law and Justice. We learn right from wrong and the serious consequences of not obeying.

1) Christ the Messiah, represented in the humble bodily Personage of Jesus…now this is something we can all relate to. Jesus represents Mercy.

3) The Holy Spirit is required for “Rehabilitation”. It is the Power placed within us to overcome and to change for the better.

We need all three: Justice, Mercy and Rehabilitation operating in our lives for the completion of Salvation.

This reminds me of the following story. A little boy was huddled under his covers one evening during an unusually loud thunderstorm. He struggled to be brave, but finally he cried out to his parents in the next room: Mom, Dad…can I come and sleep with you? His dad replied: No, son…you’ll be fine. But I’m scared! Go back to sleep…Just ask God to watch over you. Where is He? I can’t see Him. God is everywhere—He will protect you. Just go back to sleep. A minute or so passed by with more thunder and lightening: Hey Dad? Yes son. I think I need somebody with some skin on.

Ah yes…I can feel this little boy’s angst.

I don’t know if the colloquialism “Give me some skin” is still popular anymore, but it was very prevalent when I was a teenager growing up in the 1970’s. I’m not sure what kids say to each other today or if hand slap greetings are even still popular. Maybe like Barack and Michelle during the 2008 election, it is more of a victory “fist bump”. Perhaps they didn’t want to get too intimate or get their hands dirty. Seems fitting in retrospect.

God was willing to “give us some skin” when He came as our Messiah Jesus Christ.

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

~Hebrews 4:15

Although, Jesus is the perfect physical embodiment of God Almighty, even He acknowledged that the Holy Spirit was Who we truly needed. Jesus made this statement to his disciples:

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.

~John 16:7

While I am excited at the prospect of getting a new President, it is not the ultimate restoration that our nation needs. On this “Hallowed Eve”…one week before the most vital election in American History…we need a fresh Spirit infusion. Let’s pray for an American Pentecost.

Any other outcome is truly scary.

Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

~Psalm 85:6

"I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance equal in power and glory. That the scriptures of the old and new testaments are a revelation from God, and a complete rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

~Roger Sherman (Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution)

Interested in National Prayer and Repentance?

Annual National Day of Repentance: www.dayofrepentance.org

2013 Date: Yom Kippur September 13th (Sunset) through September 14th (Nightfall)

Go to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Website:

http://www.prayercaucus.org/

Feel free to join any number of events calling for National Prayer and Repentance as we lead up to the November 6th elections.

Gatherings: