On

this Saturday in May, many colleges and seminaries will hold

graduation ceremonies. Congratulations to our graduates! As a

seminary president who stands before men and women who have completed

their education and are ready to commence or continue on their

ministry journey, I will be reminded of this passage in the book of

Joel.

On

Pentecost Sunday, this is the passage the apostle Peter referred to

when he explained the good news of Jesus. There are many Scriptures

to choose from, but if you had to address people who were skeptical,

fearful, and even amazed, which passage would you choose?

Peter

drew from the prophet Joel, who speaks about the outpouring of the

Spirit on all people. This prophecy and its message are not for a

select few, or even a single nation, but for everyone.

In

a moment in time, God pours out his Spirit and inaugurates a new day

for his relationship with his people. Prophecies, visions, and dreams

that were once reserved for a select few are now distributed through

young and old, men and women. A new day has come, and it has one

ultimate purpose: the skeptical, the fearful, and the amazed are

invited to call on the name of the Lord and be saved.