Wait For It . . . Week 5

Daily Scripture Readings

Monday          Leviticus 23:1-22

Tuesday         Leviticus 23:23-44

Wednesday   Acts 2:12-24

Thursday        Acts 2:25-41

Friday              Acts 2:42-47

Saturday         Romans 8:1-11

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, fill us with your Holy Spirit so we can declare you wonders in the power of Pentecost.    In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN

READING:

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).                       Julius T. Medenblik