Pentecost

Pentecost was a feast of Judaism that occured 50 days after Passover. It is mandated in Leviticus as one of the major festivals that are holy to the Lord. "And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath." (Leviticus 23:15-16).

This feast is also called the Feast of Weeks or Feast of Harvest in the Old Testament. The name "Pentecost" is from the Greek word for 50, but it is the same Festival that was observed from the time of the Exodus when the 'first fruits', the early harvest, was brought before the Lord in thanksgiving.

For Christians Pentecost takes on a whole new meaning. Jesus promised, at his Ascension, "you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." The events recorded in Acts 2 come to life in this art from doveministries.org.uk:

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’" (Acts 2:1-13)

The Jews in Jerusalem for the Festival were astonished and confused. Peter, who only 7 weeks earlier had denied knowing Jesus becomes the spokesman for his fellow Christians.
"‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”" (Acts 2:14-21)

Often we focus on the 'speaking in other languages' after the Holy Spirit was given. However, I think that a more important occurence was the new First Fruits--a harvest of souls!

"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:37-42)

The Holy Spirit is still active and inspiring us today. Our vistas and opportunities are as broad as this view at Canyonlands, UT. As you celebrate Pentecost this year, I suggest that you meditate on Peter's words to the Jews in Jerusalem 2000 years ago:

"This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:32-36)

What response is required of our faith now, to inspire a new Pentecost and a new harvest of the first fruits of souls?

Pentecost marks the end of the season of Easter and the beginning of the liturgical season of Pentecost. It is the longest of the seasons of the Church year. Between now and Advent we hear again the stories of Jesus earthly ministry. Sometimes called 'Ordinary Time', these next few months will be a time for you and me to explore how God is found in our Ordinary, Everyday Life. I hope you will join me.