Hear these words from Acts 2: 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power."12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine." 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
You go some place for something, and another thing happens. And yes, it sometimes happens in church. You go to worship, like you usually do, except this time, something happens to you that reminds you that God has something for you to do. Or it may be the first time that you hear/feel God calling you to something like professional ministry. Yikes! What do you do?
This is precisely what happened on that Day of Pentecost. Jerusalem was filled with visitors like the holiday weekend that it was, imagine Houston or Dallas on the day after Thanksgiving. The faithful Jews who could afford it, had traveled there to worship God for the giving of the Law to Moses. Yes, pretty big deal, but God changed it for some there. A violent wind comes and fills the house where the disciples were hiding. And tongues of fire fell on the disciples and they began speaking in other languages. The crowd outside heard this sound, so it must have been loud, and the disciples ran outside and began speaking in this new language (to them) "God's deeds of power." And the list of languages is given there in verses 9-11 and it says they were a) amazed because each heard in their own tongue this declaration about God and b) the men speaking were Galileans. Not knowing what to make of this they said the men must be drunk. You and I have known souls in that condition and the last thing on their mind to say were "God's good deeds." Yet, it gives Peter an opportunity to witness to this action in a sermon where Peter says that God desires a relationship with each of them.
Indeed, even today there are so many who stand in need to hear this invitation, and no one is speaking their language. In other words, they're not relating. They're babbling to them. "Meet in the Narthex or vestibule or sanctuary and we'll fellowship with you!" Huh? ¿Que que?
God wants us to relate in common terms, using words if necessary, to tell of God's love for them. God still pours out His Holy Spirit to give us the words, the courage and the wisdom to give witness to God's great deeds. The question remains, what are we doing about it?
PRAYER: Loving God of all people and all languages, may Your Spirit give me the language I need today and all days, to relate and reach those who need Your love. This I pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
