Twenty years ago, in 1997, I packed my bags and spent the summer in Israel. It was a wild adventure. It was my first time to travel to a foreign country (except to cross the borders of Canada and Mexico). And I went alone. It was out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad I went.
I was reminded of this because I remember that when I arrived in Jerusalem, it was the Feast of Pentecost. We celebrated Pentecost last Sunday. But Pentecost did not originate with Christianity. Before Christians recognized this day as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, the Jewish people recognized this day as Shavuot. It was described as the Feast of Weeks described in Exodus 34:22. This feast was a celebration of the wheat harvest in Israel.
The word Pentecost is translated fifty. This is because it was celebrated fifty days after the Passover. That is the reason we observe Pentecost on the seventh Sunday after Easter.
It is appropriate that the giving of the Holy Spirit is associated with a harvest celebration. On that first Pentecost, 3000 people were added to those who were saved (Acts 2:41). It is the result of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that faith is produced. It is the Holy Spirit’s presence that enables us to do good works. As I shared yesterday, it is the Holy Spirit that produces all the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
The Holy Spirit is not something that we can acquire for ourselves. The Holy Spirit is a gift that is given to us. That is why we pray, come Holy Spirit, fill our lives. And we celebrate his presence with us. It through the Spirit we know Jesus.
Reflection
- What is the significance of relating the Holy Spirit to the harvest?
- What are the blessings you have experienced as a result of the Holy Spirit dwelling in your life?
Prayer
Come Holy Spirit. Dwell in me. Reside in me. Fill me with your power. Give me faith to believe. Enable me to do good works for the glory of God. Help me to see an abundant harvest of righteousness through your work. Amen.
Leave a Reply