DEPENDING on where you live, you may or may not be aware that today, Sunday May 19 is PENTECOST SUNDAY, or as some churches call it, THE FEAST OF PENTECOST. If you live in Canada, for example, it is much more likely that you may be more aware of this long VICTORIA DAY weekend, than Pentecost. This is after all the first long weekend of the summer season, and that will probably be reflected in church attendance today.
The thoughts of many Canadians, if not most, will not be on the late Queen Victoria, but on the opportunity to get away – hit the campgrounds, open the cottage or whatever.
If you live in Germany however, you will be very much aware that today is Pentecost. It is marked red on your calendar, and you are even treated to a long weekend, as Pentecost Monday is a legal holiday. Many churches will have services on both Sunday and Monday this weekend, although it is a fair guess that the majority of Germans will not be in church this weekend, but much rather on a “Fahrt ins Blaue” (roughly translated an excursion into the fresh air).
But if you know your Bible, then you will also know that PENTECOST is a very old feast, dating back to the days of the Old Testament. It was one of several Jewish festivals that were observed annually. Pentecost was also called the FEAST OF THE FIRST FRUITS – for it marked the beginning of one of the harvest seasons. It was observed 50 days after the Passover. It was on this annual occasion on or about the year 33 AD, that God decided to fulfil a promise that He had given long before through the Prophet Joel: “I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh” (Joel 2:28-32). Exactly how that took place is described by Luke in Acts 2:1-26.
Those events were dramatic, spectacular, and most importantly of divine origin. Moreover, they marked the beginning of a new era, in which we still live. An era where God’s Spirit is accessible to all how believe, for “whosoever alls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21)
Often when I read that account in Acts 2, I wonder how churches would react, if God were to intervene in a worship gathering in such a way. Most congregations, I dare say, would not want that. We don’t want to be shaken up to the extent that the people back then must have been. But it was precisely that shaking up that was so beneficial to them. After Peter had finished his amazing sermon found in the verses following the story of Pentecost, we read that they asked “what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” And verse 41 tells us, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
It is easy to get lost in the drama of that story, such as the huge number of baptisms etc. But let us not miss the point – God’s Word tells us, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (v.39)
Because of Pentecost, which marks the beginning of the New Testament church, you and I can be part of God’s family. The way into that family is still the same, “repent and be baptized”.
So yes, I am happy that today is Pentecost. Happy, because it reminds me of the power of the Gospel, that has brought me to faith. And also that God has promised that same power, that He gave to the disciples, also to me, so that I can serve Him with power.
Happy Pentecost to you!