Happy Pentecost! While you might think of Pentecost as the birthday of the Church, the first Pentecost happened long before the Disciples. In fact, it goes all the way back to the bounty of the harvest described by Moses (Deut 16: 9-11). The Hebrew word for Pentecost is "Shavuot".
The word Shavuot means “weeks” indicating the completion of a seven-week period after Passover. Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks) is when God’s followers brought their first and choicest fruits of the harvest to the Temple to thank God for His bounty.
On the Shavuot after Jesus ascended to heaven Jews gathered from around the world. A mighty rushing wind and flames of fire appeared. The language barrier broke, power fell from “on high” and the Holy Spirit (Ruach Ha Kodesh) filled 3,000 hearts. They gained intimate access to the Father’s love and a clear message about their identity and authority. Joel foretold these things when he said, ‘In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people …’” (Acts 2).
For Jews today, Shavuot is a commemoration of God’s gift of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This annual celebration is accompanied by Scripture study the night before, recitation of the book of Ruth, Psalm 67 and more. Renewed acceptance of the gift of the Torah reverberates within synagogue walls around the world.
No matter how you celebrate it, the significance of Pentecost is not to be missed. It’s one of the three times a year God extends a personal invitation to meet with Him, face-to-face. It is the evidence of His focus on prophecy, visions, dreams, and the coming of the glorious day of the Lord, when “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Don’t miss today’s appointment. The Lord’s abundant outpouring, His power and authority, is available and waiting. Your bounty is here!