May 20, 2018 Sunday

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 NKJV)

            The Christian year is an amazing way to see how God works in Israel, the Church and in your life.  Pentecost is older than Christianity and to Jews was the Feast of Weeks and celebrated God providing the harvest.  Later it was called Shavuot and celebrates the gift of the Torah which is the first five books of the Bible.

            The first followers of Jesus gathered to pray and as the Jews celebrated receiving the law they received the gift of the Holy Spirit as they celebrated grace!  The Holy Spirit would guide Christians to live a life of obedience to Jesus who had fulfilled the law!

            Christianity is not the casting aside of our Jewish heritage but of living in Jesus who fulfilled the law and allows us to live by grace!  The Bible is still our guide and a way to know the God who we desire to know and serve.

            Pentecost is a time to remember we were a broken and sin enslaved person who was unable to understand the law as well as live it.  We would either twist the law to hurt others or to allow us to live and believe as we wanted.

            Pentecost is a time to remember that through Jesus we know the Way, the Truth and Life.  Through Jesus we are prepared to receive the Holy Spirit who guides us to a full life guided by God’s truth and able to walk in the way God has for us.

            Pentecost is a celebration of the harvest of souls that would come from us being able to speak to others in their own “tongues” through the Holy Spirit!  While at times this means speaking other languages it can also mean knowing what to say to each person since only God knows their heart.

            Pentecost is a time to get as some preachers would teach “a fire in your belly” and hunger to share with others the Good News which has changed your life eternally!  Happy Pentecost!

            Ask yourself what Pentecost means to you?  As you concerned more with the harvest of crops or the harvest of souls?  Are you still seeking to live out the law or through Christ who fulfilled the law seeking to live it out in obedience and love?

(Thanks to Bonnie who reminded me about the Feast of Weeks which celebrated God's goodness in providing the harvest.  This added so much to this devotion!)