Ten
days have passed since Jesus ascended to heaven and instructed his
disciples to stay in Jerusalem. The day of Pentecost has now arrived.
Pentecost is not just something found in the New Testament, it is
actually an Old Testament holiday tied with the Feast of Harvest, or
the Feast of Weeks, noting the beginning of harvesttime.
This
is also a time when religious pilgrims would travel to Jerusalem from
faraway lands. So “God-fearing Jews from every nation” are
present for this event.
A
blowing, violent wind is followed by what appears to be tongues of
fire separating and resting on the disciples. People from many
nations gather to see what is going on. And something bewildering and
wonderful occurs. Everyone can understand what is being said!
The
words of the disciples find their mark because those who are
listening can hear the message in their own language. The Tower of
Babel (Genesis 11:1-9), where God confused the people’s language,
is reversed by the Holy Spirit so that people can understand one
another. And throughout the crowd, people are wondering, “What does
this mean?”
A
harvest of souls is being gathered. This is an example of what Jesus
meant when he taught his disciples: “Open your eyes and look at the
fields! They are ripe for the harvest” (John 4:35).