The Ember Saturday of Whitsuntide
Posted on June 14, 2025 by under
Scripture: Joel 2:28-32 (NKJV)
2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
29 “And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
32 “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”
Devotion
First, we received the gift of Jesus Christ, the teacher of righteousness, who secured our salvation. And then “it shall come to pass afterward” that we receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is a double blessing. Actually, it is the same blessing. First, the blessing is purchased or won for us. Second, the blessing is delivered by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to testify of Himself (John 15:26).
Dr. Luther alluded to Joel’s prophecy, “the remnant whom the Lord calls,” when he wrote in the Small Catechism, “The Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel…” This salvation through the Holy Spirit’s calling happens when the Word of God is preached. Jesus preached the good news of salvation and sent out His Apostles to do the same. Today’s pastors follow in the Apostolic train as they are divinely called to deliver the good news of salvation.
Finally, to those who received the message of forgiveness is given faith to rely upon Jesus, our righteousness. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Until the Last Day comes, that “great and awesome day of the Lord,” believers will be found in worship and prayer.
Collect: O Lord, we beseech Thee, deign to pour forth into our minds the Holy Ghost, by whose wisdom we were created, and by whose providence we are guided; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
Collect for the Feast of Pentecost
O God, Who didst teach the hearts of Thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of Thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
