Wind and Fire
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, I praise You as the eternal God, holy and majestic. You are worthy of all honor and glory.
Read ACTS 2:1-13
[1] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. [5] Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [7] Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? [8] Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? [9] Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome [11] (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” [12] Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” [13] Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What was so amazing about this day?Jerusalem was filled with visitors—God-fearing Jews from all over the known world-gathering (5) to give thanks for the first of the harvest, and to celebrate the giving of the law at Sinai. It is here—not in a secret stable or on a lonely mountaintop, but in the middle of a city bursting with people who have come to seek him—that God shows up. God, creator of the universe, who has existed from before the beginning of time, is physically present by his Holy Spirit. Wind from heaven fills the whole house. Wind, just like that Elijah felt in the cave. Fire, like Moses saw at the bush that didn’t burn up, like the fire that consumed Elijah’s soaking sacrifice. And God speaks. Not through a prophet or priest, but through 120 uneducated, uncultured Galileans, so that everyone can hear and understand in their own language (8). It is the story of the tower of Babel in reverse. When the visitors eventually go home, they will return changed, taking with them the experience of Pentecost, the Spirit living in them, the law written on their hearts, the first fruits of new life in Christ.
Apply
Ask the Lord to speak to you again in a way that you can clearly understand. Take a moment to listen.
Closing prayer
Thank You, Lord, for Your presence with me through Your Spirit. Keep speaking to me and leading me, I pray.
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