Acts 2:1-11 CSB
When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. [3] They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. [4] Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. [5] Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. [6] When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [7] They were astounded and amazed, saying, "Look, aren't all these who are speaking Galileans? [8] How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? [9] Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), [11] Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues."
Luke 24:46-49 CSB
He also said to them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, [47] and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high."
Pentecost
Receiving a gift is a joyful experience. Some are lavished with gifts repeatedly, while others receive them only seldom; yet, whenever a gift arrives, there is an unmistakable excitement in opening it. I have always loved wholesome English shows, especially those depicting the Christmas celebrations of the past. They show carols sung by the fire and children receiving their gifts—a truly happy time. These scenes bring to mind a heartfelt, peaceful version of celebrating our Lord’s birth.
But the scene in Jerusalem was not Christmas. It was the celebration of Pentecost. The name Pentecost means “fiftieth,” as it occurs fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits. For the Jewish nation, the holiday is called Shavuot. It commemorates the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai and serves as a major agricultural celebration for the wheat harvest. For Christians, this Feast of Pentecost follows Easter and commemorates the moment the early believers were given the Comforter—the gift—the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus.
Some presents are given quietly, but others are announced with a fanfare. This gift to the early believers was loud. Inside the house, as the believers waited, the arrival of the Gift began with a sound like a rushing wind accompanied by the appearance of tongues that looked like flames of fire. This wind and fire occurred together, separating and resting on each one of them. Jesus had told His followers to wait until they were empowered through a heavenly gift—and in this moment, they were empowered from on high.
The Spirit embraced men and women alike—all who believed and waited together behind the protection of closed doors. These people did not babble in unknown tongues; instead, their voices were raised in real languages that they themselves had never learned. The Holy Spirit was working within the believers, providing a gift not for their own self-gratification, but a power given specifically to tell others about the magnificent acts of God.
The sound of the rushing wind drew the inhabitants of the city to the house. People poured in from the side streets—among them foreigners who had made the pilgrimage to celebrate the holiday. What was an unknown language to the early believers was a native tongue to the traveling Jews and converts: Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and Libya; visitors from Rome, Cretans, and Arabs. The wind brought them to the door, but the spoken Word allowed them to hear what was being spoken by the early believers. The Holy Spirit was empowering this small group that would grow into the church of today.
The Holy Spirit is known by many names in the Bible: Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, Helper, Spirit of Truth, and Spirit of God. The early believers received this gift of the Holy Spirit so they could tell the world about Jesus. Along with the Spirit came miraculous signs throughout the Book of Acts, so that others might believe the words of the Apostles and come to a saving faith. The gift of the Holy Spirit was not intended to glorify the believers themselves, but to grant them the boldness and power to go out and proclaim the Gospel to all nations.
Reflection Questions
- The “rushing wind” was a divine wake-up call for the city of Jerusalem. What are the “rushing winds” or unexpected events in your own life that God has used to pull you away from your routine and toward His Word?
- The Apostles spoke in languages they didn’t know so that others could hear the “magnificent acts of God.” Who is someone in your life who needs to hear those acts in a “language” (or a way) they can finally understand?
- If the Holy Spirit is a gift given to empower us for service rather than self-glory, how does that change the way we pray for His presence in our daily lives?
Prayer
Father,
We thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. We thank You that You do not leave us to our own strength, but empower us from on high. Help us to be faithful couriers of Your Word, reaching out in a multitude of ways so that others may hear of Your magnificent acts. Open the hearts of those who hear us, and keep us bold in our witness, trusting that Your Spirit is at work through the message of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
