[This series of Devotions are in the format of Historical Fiction. The main facts are accurate, but the Diary is fictional.]
Text: Acts 2:1-4 (CSB) – 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, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.
Dear Diary: It is hard to believe that it has only been 10 days since Jesus went up in the clouds to heaven. Daily times of prayer have been held. We are seeking to know what He meant by receiving power from the Holy Spirit. He gave us a task and then told us to wait until the Holy Spirit came.
Well, today it happened. I was in Jerusalem on the day of the celebration of Pentecost. The feast held 50 days after Passover. We called it the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. It is mentioned five places in the first five books of Moses. It was the celebration of the beginning of the early weeks of harvest. But today, it has taken on a new meaning. It is the beginning of a harvest, but not of wheat but of souls.
Suddenly there was the sound of a mighty wind and what appeared to be tongues of fire settled on the disciples. To those of us who are Israelites, it reminded us of Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, and the fire of the Shekinah Glory. God, in the form of His Holy Spirit, was now coming to take up permanent residence in those who place their faith and trust on Jesus Christ.
Today, Peter, having been restored by Christ, preached a sermon that every person from 16 different language groups heard and understood. What a miracle. And, an even bigger miracle was that of those hearing this sermon about 3,000 people came to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
From a small group of disciples, the Church of Jesus was beginning to grow. The Church located in Jerusalem was now well-over 3,120 members – and growing. How? The power of the Holy Spirit moving through those who had prepared themselves to obey and follow Jesus wherever He takes us.
This concludes our series of devotions dealing with the passion of Jesus Christ. I hope that this fictionalized account (based on foundational truth) has helped make it come alive to you each day. I pray that this has challenged each of us to step up and to observe to obey the Great Commission of Jesus – to reach others with the saving message of Jesus. Our world needs it more today than possibly ever. Will you take the time to share with one person what Jesus means to you?
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