Christians all over the world commemorate the day of Pentecost when Jesus fulfilled his promise to send his Holy Spirit to the world. He said in John 14: 26, but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. After Jesus’ departure from the earth by ascension, Jesus fulfilled his promise on the day of Pentecost.
We read from Acts 2: 1-4, when the day of Pentecost came they were all together gathered in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of 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 were filled with the Holy Spirit and begun to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Religious antecedent
The day of Pentecost was celebrated as a Jewish festival long before the birth of Christ Jesus. It was also called a festival of weeks which was celebrated fifty days after the Passover as a day of agricultural harvest of an early grain or wheat. On that day, farmers brought their produce to the temple to show gratitude to God for his goodness and successful produce. It did not matter whether or not the quantum of harvest.
In that same festival, the people celebrated the day God gave the Torah (Spiritual Laws) to Moses on Mount Sinai to establish his covenant with his people. Accordingly, the day of Pentecost was a day to commemorate three events of thanksgiving for: God’s goodness; God’s laws and covenant; and Jesus’ fulfillment to send God’s Holy Spirit. These epitomize what the Apostle Paul taught in 1Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Celebrants of Pentecost
The nature of the festival attracted people of faith all over the world, hence Acts 2: 5-8 says, now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked; “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?… Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Remembrance of Pentecost
God instituted Pentecost for a reason. As Christians, may we be persuaded by the Holy Spirit to celebrate Pentecost with divine reasons and remembrance as follows:
God is the provider
It was not mere coincidence on the day of Pentecost to have God send down his promised Holy Spirit. Jesus fulfilled his promise as the provider. Pentecost was a thanksgiving festival that God was the provider. Psalm 81: 10 says, I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Job 8: 21 says, he will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
A day of renewed covenant
On the day of Pentecost, we remember God’s covenant with his people through his word. Exodus 19: 5 says, now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. God said to Abraham in Genesis 9: 9, “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you. Have we kept the covenant relationship through in obedience to the word?
It is a day of gratitude to God
With the purpose of Pentecost being showing gratitude to God for his goodness, do we show gratitude to God in all circumstances? Psalm 147: 7 says, sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. We can only do so when we are content with God for his providence. Colossians 3: 16 says, sing to God with gratitude in your hearts (paraphrased).
It is a memory of God’s faithfulness
On the day of Pentecost, we acknowledge that God is faithful to his promise. 2Samuel 22: 26 says, “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to his faithful at the gathering on Pentecost. Psalm 33: 4 says, for the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. Affirming his word, Jesus said in Matthew 24: 35; Mark 13: 31; Luke 21: 33, heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. He is the truth of God.
It is to celebrate God’s impartiality
On the day of Pentecost, we remind ourselves that God does not discriminate but loves and treats all people and nations and tribes as one and equally. He poured his Spirit on all gathered in his name equally. Peter said in Acts 10: 34-35, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Those gathered on the day of Pentecost were right in obedience of Christ Jesus. If we act right, God will visit us.
It is a festival to understand one another
God broke all barriers down for a common cause or purpose for unity of purpose in Christendom. Those gathered heard one another in their native own language. God wants his children to speak with one voice led by the Holy Spirit. In that regard, we will be bold to proclaim the mysteries of God. How often do we oppose one another as Christians without the Holy Spirit? Paul said in Romans 15: 18, I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done. May our common voice be to rescue the perishing for Christ Jesus.
Reflection
Are you expecting Jesus’ promise? Wait patiently! Do you show gratitude to God? He is waiting! Do you cherish the word of God with a changed heart? God will be delighted! Do you speak with the voice of Christ? Be led by the Holy Spirit! Are you committed to the festival of Pentecost? Have the visitation of the Lord Jesus Christ through his Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we pray that on this day of Pentecost, revive our longing hearts for obedience to your word, that we may show gratitude to you in our lives, and on your hour of visitation, pour your spirit upon us to honour you with what we have. We pray in your Holy name, Amen!!
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