Friday 10 June, 2016

5 Godly Jews from every country in the world were staying in Jerusalem. 6 A crowd came together when they heard the sound. They were bewildered because each of them heard their own language being spoken. 7 The crowd was really amazed. They asked, “Aren’t all these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then why do we each hear them speaking in our own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes and Elamites. We live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia. We are from Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia. Others of us are from Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene. Still others are visitors from Rome. 11 Some of the visitors are Jews. Others have accepted the Jewish faith. Also, Cretans and Arabs are here. We hear all these people speaking about God’s wonders in our own languages!” 12 They were amazed and bewildered. They asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But some people in the crowd made fun of the believers. “They’ve had too much wine!” they said.

This is a significant passage in the bible, as it describes some of the events that took place on the Day of Pentecost. I can’t imagine what it would have been like for the Jews from various language groups, to experience the apostles exclaiming the goodness of God in languages they understood. The Jews questioned, “How can this be?”, which reinforces their amazement to what was taking place. This event shows the miraculous power of God, and is a reminder that He is not limited by human means to reveal Himself.

From this, I am encouraged by the faithfulness and willingness of the believers to allow God’s Holy Spirit to fill them in such a way. In that moment the Word of God was spread completely by the power of the Spirit, and was all about Him not the vessels. This prompts me to look at the way I am sharing the gospel with those around me. Am I doing it in my own strength, or do I invite the Holy Spirit to fill me so that God can be 100% glorified? I think we can have confidence that we are walking filled with the Holy Spirit, when the people around us ask, “How can this be?” when God is revealed to them.

God, Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I pray that You would help me to have a willing heart to allow You to fill me and use me to declare Your goodness. I ask that You would fill me afresh with Your Spirit as I enter all that You have for me today. In Jesus’ name

Written by Laura Samperi