There is something about witnessing a birth that defies full description. There’s a joy which gushes from the inside out . . . literally. As I recollect, I couldn’t help but tear up at the birth of each of my five girls. And in the delivery room I can’t imagine any one thinking, “Wow, isn’t evolution doing a wonderful work today!” Nah . . . I’m thinking the most common of reactions is, “What a miracle! Amazing! Unbelievable!” And even though that just born he or she is so tiny, there’s something that wants to reach out and hold this little miracle bundle . . . something that wants to gaze upon it without interruption . . . something that wants to care for and nurture it . . . to draw it close and commit to it with your whole heart. Could any of that describe any part of what Jesus might have felt the day His church was born?

I’m reading in Acts 2 . . . the birth of the church at Pentecost . . . what an event! The sudden sound of a a mighty rushing wind from heaven itself . . . tongues of fire appearing and resting on those who were gathered there . . . the Holy Spirit filling everyone in that place . . . languages being spoken as the Spirit gave utterance . . . a cacophony of sound . . . an energy sourced literally from out of this world. And it says that “all were amazed and perplexed” and wanted to know what to make of it all (Acts 2:1-13). Cue Peter . . . witness the birth of the church . . . talk about your delivery!

This marks the last days, says Peter . . . the Spirit being a sign spoken of by the prophet . . . this time being the time, before His return, to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (2:14-21). Who is the Lord? Jesus of Nazareth . . . a man attested by God with mighty works and signs which God did through Him . . . delivered up by God, according to His plan, into the hands of lawless men who crucified and killed Him. God, though, raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, for it is impossible for Him to be held by death . . . exalted now at the right hand of God . . . having received the promise of the Holy Spirit which He was pouring out on them that day (2:22-33). “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain,” proclaims Peter, “that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (2:36)

And that day 3,000 knew it . . . they got it . . . they believed it . . . and were saved. Their souls were added to what would soon be known as the body of Christ. That day the bride of Christ was born . . . the living temple of God, inhabited through His Spirit, had begun construction. What joy did the Father experience that day? Did tears well up in the eyes of the Son as He saw the fruit of His labor that day? As the Holy Spirit invaded the souls of men, women, and children, did He do so with an embrace, drawing them near to His breast, vowing to do all He could to protect them and nurture them that the work which had begun in them would be fulfilled for God’s glory?

And then to watch that baby church thrive over the next days, weeks, and months. To see them take in the milk of the apostles teaching . . . to grow together as a family in sweet fellowship . . . to never stray far from remembering the cross and His coming as they continued in the breaking of bread . . . to find their voice, and their speech, as they persisted in prayer. And, it says, awe came upon every soul (2:42-43a). Did heaven experience a measure of awe, as well? I’m thinkin’ . . .

I know the church isn’t perfect . . . but I’m a fan of the church . . . I believe God is too. And on the day of its birth, I can only imagine the joy the Father emitted throughout heaven as He saw the beginning of the results from the work His Beloved Son had finished. It was another of those works of God that, when He saw it, I can imagine Him saying, “It is good!” And maybe, just maybe, He thought something like, “What a miracle! . . . Amazing! . . . Unbelievable!” You see, there’s something about witnessing a birth. Amen?