The red thread
The Spirit
From the Spirit over the waters of creation to the Spirit who says on the last page: Come!
God's Spirit was there from the very beginning. At Pentecost He came to live with all of Jesus' friends. And now He is close to you too.
Over the water
The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
What happens here
Before there is any light, the earth is dark and empty. But the Spirit of God hovers over the water. The Hebrew verb comes back in Deuteronomy 32:11, for an eagle hovering over her young.
How it points ahead
Where the Spirit is, life and order come into the chaos. At the baptism of Jesus the Spirit comes down over the water once more.
If only they were all prophets
Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh’s people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!”
What happens here
The Spirit comes on seventy elders of Israel. Joshua wants two of them silenced, but Moses answers that he wished all God's people received the Spirit.
How it points ahead
In the Old Testament the Spirit comes on a few: judges, kings, prophets, often only for a while. Moses' wish waits to be fulfilled.
Dry bones live
I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.
What happens here
In exile Ezekiel sees a valley full of dry bones. When the breath of God passes over them, they stand up like a great army.
How it points ahead
God promises to put His own Spirit in His people: not only new life, but a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
On all flesh
“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
What happens here
After a plague of locusts God promises more than recovery: He will pour out His Spirit on everyone, sons and daughters, young and old, servants and handmaids too. In some Bibles this verse is Joel 3:1.
How it points ahead
What Moses wished, Joel promises for everyone. At Pentecost Peter quotes exactly these words (Acts 2:16–18).
And then Jesus comes.
Like a dove
and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”
What happens here
At the baptism in the Jordan the Spirit comes down visibly on Jesus, and the voice of the Father sounds from heaven.
How it comes together
Father, Son and Spirit are present at once. Jesus begins His work 'full of the Holy Spirit' (Luke 4:1) and reads in Nazareth: 'The Spirit of the Lord is on me' (4:18).
Another Counselor
I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever,—
What happens here
In the night before His death Jesus promises that His disciples will not be left alone. The Father will send the Spirit, who teaches them everything and reminds them of what He said.
How it comes together
The Spirit makes Jesus near, even when He can no longer be seen: 'I will not leave you orphans' (14:18).
Wind, fire and languages
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
What happens here
Fifty days after Easter there is a sound like wind and tongues like fire appear. The disciples speak in languages that pilgrims from many countries understand.
How it comes together
At Babel the languages were confused (Genesis 11). Here everyone hears the gospel in their own language. Joel's promise has begun.
Children of God
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;
What happens here
Paul writes to the church in Rome that the Spirit lives in each of them and testifies with their own spirit that they belong to God.
How it comes together
What was once for a few prophets is now for everyone who belongs to Christ. That is how the Spirit works in the church today: from the inside.
The Spirit and the bride say: Come!
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.
What happens here
On the last page of the Bible the Spirit and the church call together for Jesus to come, and invite everyone who is thirsty.
How it comes together
The Spirit who hovered over the water at creation offers the water of life at the end, freely, to whoever wants it.