Day 228: Acts 1:12–14, 2:1–8

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven (vv. 1–2).

You are probably very familiar with the scene described in these verses, but sometimes overfamiliarity can be the biggest treasure thief of all. Rewind the verses again, and let’s play them in slow motion.

Scripture tells us the disciples’ return to the city after observing Christ’s ascension on the Mount of Olives was a “Sabbath day’s journey” (Acts 1:12), which would have been about three-fourths of a mile. I have walked that brief trek a number of times, and it is straight downhill until you ascend back up the temple mount to the city gates. You can hardly keep from walking fast due to the incline, but somehow I’m imagining their mouths were traveling faster than their feet. (You’re imagining that mine was too!)

We read that the disciples went upstairs to the room where they were staying (Acts 1:13). The definite article and the emphatic arrangement of the words in the Greek sentence structure indicate that the location was well-known and highly significant to the disciples.51 In the days that followed, the now eleven apostles were joined for prayer by several women, Mary, and Jesus’ siblings. Acts 1:15 shows Peter speaking to that first New Testament cell group that numbered 120 people.

You may attend a church about this size and wonder with frustration what God could do with such a small group of people. Dear One, when the Holy Spirit falls on a place, it doesn’t matter how small the group—things start happening! Remember, the Holy Spirit comes in order to get results! And in light of Acts 2, we know what can happen when the Holy Spirit interrupts a prayer meeting.

Now I want you to come with me on one of my favorite journeys. Open your Bible to Leviticus 23—(I’ll wait on you)—and look at the headings that appear there, if your Bible contains those. This awesome Old Testament chapter records the annual feasts God appointed to Israel. I am convinced every one of them is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In the context of this chapter, we’ll emphasize three.

The most important of the Jewish feasts was (and is) Passover (Lev. 23:4–8). I so love the last few words in 1 Corinthians 5:7—“Christ our Passover has been sacrificed” (hcsb). We can easily see the connection that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the Passover lambs slain in history. What a glorious connection between the Old and New Testaments!

The feast that immediately followed Passover was Firstfruits, when a sheaf of the first grain of the harvest was waved before the Lord for His acceptance (Lev. 23:11). This was the day after the Passover Sabbath, obviously falling on a Sunday. First Corinthians 15:20 clearly says that the resurrection of Jesus was the firstfruits. “Now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (hcsb).

Fifty (pente) days after Passover came the Feast of Weeks, later called Pentecost. It was the celebration of seven weeks of harvest. The one sheaf waved on Firstfruits turned into an entire harvest celebrated seven weeks and one day later. “But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, the people of Christ” (1 Cor. 15:23 hcsb). The Feast of Weeks was the presentation of an offering of new grain to the Lord (Lev. 23:16). In other words, it was the celebration of harvest reaped.

Now do you see the significance of what happened on Pentecost? Fifty days earlier, Christ the Passover Lamb had been crucified. On the day of Firstfruits—that very Sunday morning—His life was waved acceptable before God as the firstfruit from the dead. Fifty days after Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came just as Christ promised. And He came to show off! He revealed His all-surpassing power in simple jars of clay that day. The Holy Spirit never comes just to show off, however. He comes to show off and bring results: “Every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47 hcsb).

Beloved, I present to you the first harvest reaped by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. That’s Pentecost! And even now I believe we are still living in the continuing harvest of Pentecost. Christ tarries only so that the harvest can reach its peak ripeness and be reaped to the glory of God. He does not will for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). He desires everyone. He forces no one. He will not wait forever.

One day the ultimate Feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:23–24; 1 Thess. 4:16) will come, and we will meet Jesus in the air. Then one day the books will be opened and closed for the last time, and the final judgment will take place (Rev. 20:11–15). The Day of Atonement will be past (Lev. 23:26–27; Rom. 3:23–25). Those who were covered by the blood of the Passover Lamb will tabernacle (Lev. 23:33–34) with God forever and ever . . . and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:17).

I feel like getting started a little early. I’m going to go put on some praise music, and I may just slip on my dancing shoes!