Scripture: When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and 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 Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Acts 2:1-13 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, amid their prayer vigil, Peter stands and speaks to the crowd of about 120, proclaiming that the Holy Spirit foretold through David Judas’ tragic end. We learn that Judas used the blood money (obtained through aiding the temple guards to arrest Jesus) to buy a field, only to fall headlong on it with his bowels erupting from his abdomen. The story circulated among Jerusalemites, and thus, this plot of land became known as the Field of Blood. Peter then addresses the imminent concern before their community: find a replacement for Judas’ apostolic position among the Twelve. First, Peter cites qualifications: a man who accompanied the disciples from John’s baptism ministry to Jesus’ ascension and can thus bear witness to his resurrection. Collectively, they identify two who qualify: Justus and Matthias. But to decide, they earnestly pray to the Lord and then cast lots which fall on Matthias.
Today’s devotion begins with an action-packed account of the church’s birth at Pentecost. The setting is likely still the upper room, given Luke refers to a mighty wind filling “the entire house” (v.2), pointing to its antecedent: the “upper room” (1:13). This gush of wind then appears as tongues of fire resting on each one of them, presumably the 120 or so mentioned in verse 1:15, infilling them with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, they speak in the languages of the diaspora (those Jews who settled in foreign countries and are now visiting Jerusalem for the festival). Amazed and perplexed, some onlookers question how uneducated Galileans could speak their native tongue. Still, others mock and accuse them of being inebriated with new wine.
Of note: Pentecost derives its name from its prescribed date on the Jewish calendar: fifty days after Passover. Under the Lord’s direction, Moses designated the festival as the Feast of Harvest or Firstfruits (Exodus 23:16), and later by the name Feast of Weeks, given Israel celebrated the feast seven weeks after the harvest. However, by the first century, Pentecost had become the standardized name for the festival.
Takeaway: Luke’s concise account of a crowd coming together (v.6) likely portrays Jews milling through the streets during the festival who hear and see, through the window openings of the upper room, men and women glowing and speaking in their native languages. Of course, the news would rapidly spread, resulting in a crowd gathering outside the house expressing polarized opinions of marvel and mockery. But this is not the only element of polarity in this fantastic story. Whereas God’s presence rested on the Tabernacle and then the Holy of Holies in the Temple, here, through the Holy Spirit, God’s presence rests on and in his disciples. And where God dispersed the people at Babel, confounding their common language into many foreign tongues (Genesis 11:1-9), the diaspora came together at Pentecost and heard a unified proclamation of the Gospel. Indeed, Luke’s list of ethnic dialects encapsulates the scattered nations of Babel as ancient Israel understood.
Still, we see a commonality that affirms this new era for God’s people. While the Holy Spirit rested on Jesus at his water baptism, John the Baptist announced that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). Indeed, the reference to wind and fire in Scripture most often represents the presence of God and or the Holy Spirit. And given God’s people anticipated a messianic age where the Spirit of God would indwell them and bring new life into them (based on Ezekiel’s encounter with God at a valley of dry bones; Ezekiel 37:1-14), we see parallels that point to fulfillment at Pentecost:
- The anointed speak the prophetic word of God.
- The Spirit of God indwells God’s people.
- God’s people find new life.
- God’s people know he is Lord.
Our takeaway? Corporately, the church’s mission is the same today as at its birth. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we witness the Gospel in our diverse worldwide languages but with a unified message. Individually, we hear the prophetic Gospel, receive the Holy Spirit, gain new life in our spirits, and mature in knowing God as we take Jesus’ Good News to others. Still, we must remember the outcome is in God’s hands, for while some marvel at our message, others may mock us.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, with your Holy Spirit, has transformed and empowered us with his unified message. So, as his church body, would you please help us to speak and act of one accord with the Good News—setting aside the nonessentials and resisting infighting? As your uniquely and wonderfully made children, would you please help us act in the power of your Holy Spirit to witness your Son while entrusting the listener’s response to you without fear of being mocked or canceled? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
Leave a Reply