Devotion 5.23.26

Acts 2

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and 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, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

The Holy Spirit's power becomes apparent at Pentecost.

Have you ever watched or listened to something over and over, yet every now and then heard something in what you watch or listen to and think, "Hmmm, I don't think I've ever noticed that before"? Such was my experience with today's passage. Specifically, I noted the opening and closing verses and did some looking.

The Jews were gathered at Pentecost, a day of observance in their faith. I never realized that before, but it occurs 50 days after Passover (Leviticus 23:15 - 21). So, it makes sense that there were many faithful Jews in Jerusalem gathered, speaking in their own language from their region or dialect (English or Spanish OR Tex Mex as opposed to the queen's Spanish for example).

The Holy Spirit, who is from the beginning, is now and ever shall be, comes in the form of a rushing wind, appears as "tongues of fire," and the people are able to understand one another. This miracle demonstrates the power of God's Word.

The next "aha" came in the last verse, "new wine." While mocking those impacted by the Spirit, the men touch on a truth. Jesus is a "new wine," "consecrated at Passover " as his body and blood take on the sin of the world. Today, we continue this with the sacrament of the altar. Peter will speak on this to the gathering. God, again, turns our evil and uses it as good for his purposes (study notes on this passage).

God's Spirit opened my eyes to these two verses after listening to them, studying them, and reading them since I was about eight. What "new wine" is in your life recently? What have you heard or read for a lengthy period of time that God's Spirit revealed to you a newness or never heard it that way before?

Pray for God's Spirit to continue to reveal truths to us, to make his Word clear to us, and to give us opportunities to share this Word with others daily. Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.