This week we celebrate Pentecost, sometimes referred to as “the birthday of the church.” Acts 2 describes the Holy Spirit filling the disciples as they gathered on the day of Pentecost, enabling them to speak the languages of other Jews visiting Jerusalem from far away and proclaim the gospel. Thousands of people were saved and a movement was born that would sweep to the very ends of the earth and continues to do so today.
The word ‘Pentecost’ means “fifty days.” It was another name for Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks described in Leviticus 23. Shavuot is celebrated fifty days after Passover, which puts it about one week after Jesus’ ascension into heaven in Acts 1. On that day, the people were to bring the firstfruits of their harvest into the temple as an offering of thanksgiving to God. It was major enough for diaspora Jews around the world to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate it every year; this is why so many Jews from different nations were present on that day.
Today, Pentecost carries a new meaning for us as Christians, but some things remain the same. We still give thanks to God for His wonderful gift to us: the Holy Spirit, poured out upon all of us (Acts 2:17). Instead of offering grain, our offering now is adoration, worship and a transformed life. And we reap a harvest of love, joy, peace and the many other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Truly a day to be thankful for!
James.