Acts 2:7-8 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?
The first Pentecost was the 50th day after the resurrection of Jesus. It is also the Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) which was a thanksgiving for the first fruits of the wheat harvest. Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jerusalem was a dangerous place for the disciples after the crucifixion of Jesus as they were the next target to be persecuted. However, after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the 120 disciples waited fearlessly for 10 consecutive days before the radical, dynamic outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Waiting patiently for the torrential rain from heaven transformed ordinary uneducated civilians into eloquent enthusiastic and energetic orators. What stunned and surprised the crowd was that they were able to speak in different languages represented in Jerusalem. It is believed that there were 70 different language speaking Jews who were present in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. The Jews who were scattered during captivity would travel back to Jerusalem for the festival of Passover and they were astonished to hear the Galileans who could only converse in Aramaic, speak in Greek, Latin and other Mesopotamian and Asian languages.
They did not sound like or look like they were “Made-in Galilee”. They spoke with boldness and authority. The same is true for those who wait on the Lord even today. Signs and wonders follow those who wait on the Lord. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17). The tone, tenor and the truth in our tongue should and will change when we wait at the feet of the risen Saviour. Timidity will be replaced with tenacity, authority, audacity and authenticity. Fear will be substituted with fervor and fervidity and lethargy will be replaced with passion and piety. We will not be known for our smallness, silliness or shameful past but would become ambassadors of the King of Kings.
We are divine diplomats for Jesus:
1. Amaze: The crowds that witnessed the disciples preach powerfully were “Utterly amazed”. Our life, witness and testimony should bring utter amazement to those around us. Those who know us as ‘weak and wimpy’ should be utterly amazed at our verdant influential voice destroying the powers of hell.
2. Authority: The authority in the preaching of the amateurs brought the elite crowds to repentance – “Brothers, what shall we do?” Those who wait on the Lord leave their failures, shame and stigma at the feet of the cross and come out as authoritative ambassadors for Christ. Our authority will overturn the powers of hell and perplex the crowd.
3. Accentuate: Outpouring of the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit enriched the early apostles to accentuate the risen Jesus. Waiting in God’s presence will fill us with anointing and gifts to accentuate Christ Jesus.
Those who wait for the Lord in fervent prayer and fasting will be rebranded as ‘made-in heaven’.
Acts 2:12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, fall on me and fill me like how you filled the early apostles so I may accentuate your Holy name. Amen
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