VOW: Why Did the Holy Spirit Come on Pentecost?

Verse of the Week

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2: 1-4 NKJV

What a coincidence that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost! It is almost like it was planned.

There is much more to this Feast of the Lord than meets the eye. I am only covering a small portion of the significance here. In Leviticus 23 the Lord Yehovah spells out His feasts days. They are basically standing appointments or meetings with Almighty God. There are seven feasts/appointments on His calendar. Three of those are the pilgrimage feasts when all males were to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. Pentecost is one of them.

You may have thought like I did for a long time that the day the Holy Spirit came was called Pentecost because the disciples spoke in tongues for the first time that day. Since Pentecostal and speaking in tongues have be come synonymous, many assume that is why the day is called Pentecost. It is actually much more exciting than that.

Pentecost is the English transliteration of the Greek word pentekostos which means fiftieth. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost because it was the fiftieth day. The fiftieth day of what you are probably wondering. It was the fiftieth day or the last day of the Counting of the Omer which is the counting of fifty days (seven weeks and one day) from the First Fruits offering during Passover week to the next major feast day on the Lord’s calendar – the Feast of Weeks or Shavuot. Shavuot (sha voo OAT) is Hebrew for weeks. The year that Yeshua/Jesus rose from the dead, it was the fiftieth day from His ressurection!

In the opening verses of the Book of Acts, Luke tells Theophilus that after Yeshua rose from the dead, He was seen by many people for forty days. On the fortieth day, before His ascension, He instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem. Why? Because He wanted to make sure they were in Jerusalem and did not go back home. He knew they might become discouraged with persecution and His absence. Something very special and important was about to take place on this appointment.

On the fiftieth day, Pentecost, at 9 o’clock in the morning, during the morning prayers and sacrifices, Yeshua sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to the earth with the sound of a strong wind. At that moment the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire on each person in that upper room – inhabiting the believers, empowering them to spread the Gospel. This event was what some refer to as the beginning of the church. It definitely changed the course of HIStory as His disciples preached the gospel in languages they did not previously know, but those who had come to Jerusalem from far away for this appointment understood them and believed in Yeshua as their savior and redeemer.

It was no coincidence that the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost – it was The Plan.

Live out this week

Consider the significance of this day. Read Luke chapter 24 & Acts chapters 1 & 2.

Pentecost or Shavuot is not really celebrated or even acknowledged on most Christian calendars. Consider marking this day in a significant way today and in the years to come should the Lord tarry.

Ask yourself, Is the Holy Spirit evident in your life? Do you let the Holy Spirit guide your life?

This week be responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Love the Lord your God will all your heart, soul, mind, and strength AND love your neighbor as yourself.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me this week to be cognizant of and responsive to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, empower me to live my life in a way that is honoring and glorifying to the One Almighty God – my God and Father. In the Name of Yeshua/Jesus, Amen.

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Feature Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay