Sun.’s Devo - Pentecost

Read: Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:1-2:47
Jesus appeared to his disciples off and on for 40 days between Passover and Pentecost. Then he arose to heaven and took his place at God’s right hand on his throne.
Jesus had told his disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. After they received the power of the Holy Spirit, then they were to go to the ends of the earth telling people about him. During their wait they also chose a man to replace Judas. His name was Matthias which means “gift of Jehovah”. His name meant exactly what God was about to give them.
On Pentecost, God gave his gift of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost stood for the 50 seeds they would count everyday. On the first Pentecost, God gave them the law on Mt. Sinai. It was evidenced by thunderings and smoke coming from a mountain that was on fire. A trumpet sounded louder and louder. The law was given and it was to bless a people that were to become like the sand of the sea in number. It had started with Abraham and Sarah and had grown to about a million people by then.
This New Testament Pentecost was the fulfillment of that time. Now the people were the mountain of God’s presence and the fire and smoke was on their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. Their mouths became the trumpets that proclaimed the gospel so that everyone there could hear it in their language.
In the Old Testament, when Moses brought the law down to the people, three thousand were killed for worshipping the golden calf. In the New Testament the hearing of the word brought in three thousand new believers. The true meaning of Pentecost was fulfilled. The seed spread throughout the world and brought forth a harvest of souls.
Lord, thank you that we can still be baptized in the Holy Spirit and have power to be your witnesses. Help the seed we plant to grow and bring a harvest.