May 24 | Acts 2:1-21

Elaine Pierce
May 24
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

Pentecost - what is next?

By Elaine Pierce

Faithful Jews travelled many miles to celebrate Pentecost in Jerusalem. Some pilgrims travelled as far as 1,400 miles - which would have taken weeks and weeks. Pentecost was one of the three major Jewish holidays, along with Passover and Tabernacles, and it was important for the faithful to observe these holidays in Jerusalem.

In today's passage, we read about a Pentecost like no other. Jesus had been crucified 49 days before, and his followers had had a whirlwind of activity: they had seen him risen from the dead, in the flesh, and, before their very eyes (Acts 1:9) and he ascended to the Father in heaven. They gathered as a small body of believers, and they devoted themselves to prayer. They chose leaders from their small band, and they continued to pray.

And then this amazing experience takes place: 'a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them (Acts 2:2-4).

God used fishermen, tax collectors, physicians and rabbis, along with women (I know, I know, women didn't have careers then but they were an important part of Jesus' ministry) to start his church. Fisherman were not high society. Tax collectors were despised. Rabbis like Paul were known to persecute Christians. God called people from all walks of life faith and a church was born. Peter told the crowd who were amazed that people were speaking in their language (remember, they travelled from all over the ancient world) that 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (v. 21)'. Not just the educated classes. Not just the working class. And - shock of shock - not just Jews. Everyone means everyone!

This quote from C. S. Lewis helps put the Christian faith in perspective: "Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed. That is one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It is a religion that you could not have guessed. If it offered us just the kind of universe we had always expected, I should feel we were making it up. But, in fact, it is not the sort of thing anyone would have made up."

Thank you, Lord for sending your son, for the Holy Spirit, and for saving grace that only comes as a gift , not through our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). And what a gift that we have that we give back as we do good works out of joy and blessing, not ought of obligation.

PRAYER

Thank you for the gift of your Holy spirit. Just as the first believers accepted this gift with joy and wonder, help me to listen, to follow, and to hear your voice. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!