The altars were prepared. The calf was sacrificed. The servants of Baal chanted from morning to noon, calling their god to pour fire from heaven. Nothing happened. Elijah taunted them, crying, “Shout louder! Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping.” The heathens prayed more fervently, but nothing happened still. Finally, Elijah took his stand. “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.” Again, and again, they doused the altar with water. Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham, and fire rained down. The sacrifice, wood, stones, and soil together burned to ashes. This is the fire of the true God, which is lit today on Pentecost.
Continue reading “The Flames of Pentecost”