40 Days of Prayer Day 40 “Pentecost”

Pentecost is Today

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day Christians around the world remember the giving of the Holy Spirit and God entering into covenant with His new creation, the Church. Arguably, Pentecost is as significant to the Church as Easter is to each believer. Yet for many, it is just another Sunday.

Pentecost has deep significance to God, and is profoundly important for both Jews and Christians.

This day is Shavuot on the Jewish calendar, also called by Jews, Pentecost. Shavuot marks the end of 50 days, called ‘Counting of the Omer”. These 50 days began the day after the Passover, when Israel was set free from slavery to Pharaoh. The 50 days ended when Moses received the Torah on Mount Sinai, Israel entered into covenant with God, and agreed to live by His divine law, teaching, and directions. During their journey from Egypt to Mount Sinai, God taught Moses and the Israelites who He was and His plans for them.

Each element of Israel’s 50 days parallels the disciple’s 50 days with Jesus.

For us, the day after Passover is Easter Sunday. From the day Jesus was resurrected till the day the followers of Jesus received the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, or Mount Zion, was 50 days – hence, of course, the name ‘Pentecost’. Just as Israel was set free from slavery to Pharaoh, Christians were set free from slavery – only for us, set free from slavery to sin, death, and satan – when Jesus was resurrected on the first of the 50 days. The disciples were taught by Jesus about the Kingdom of God between His resurrection and ascension. Israel entered into covenant with God on Mount Sinai – a figurative marriage – and were given the Torah to guide and direct them into a deeper relationship with God. Believers entered into covenant with God on Mount Zion, and the Church, the Bride of Christ, was born. On Pentecost, Christians were given God Himself – in the person of the Holy Spirit – to guide and direct them into a deeper relationship with Him.

God came down with fire on Mount Sinai when He delivered the Torah. God came down with tongues of fire when He imparted the Holy Spirit to His followers on Mount Zion. The giving of the Torah began a relationship with God that culminated in the giving of the Holy Spirit, and the world has never been the same. The giving of the Holy Spirit will, one day, reach a final culmination when the New Jerusalem will come down bringing heaven to earth.

As we worship God on this Sunday, thank Him for His indescribable gift received on Pentecost – Himself, living in each believer! “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit live in you”, written by Paul to both the Church and each believer.

“You have not come to a mountain (Mount Sinai) that can be touched and is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further words be spoken to them, because they could not hear what was commanded . . . But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God” (Hebrews 12: 18 – 20, 22 NIV).

“But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you . . . But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16: 7, 13 NIV).

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1: 4, 5 NIV).

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2: 1 – 4 NIV).

Father, Almighty God, who are we that you should bless us with Your presence, Your Holy Spirit living in the tabernacle of our hearts? We bless Your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Lord, by the power of Your Spirit make us more like Jesus every day. We repent and consecrate our lives to You, trusting that you are good and there is no place better to put who we are and what we have than into your hands. Help each of us to be found worthy of the unimaginable gift of Yourself. We rest today in the Psalm that says:

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You have made them rulers over the works of your hands; you have put everything under their feet” (Psalm 8: 3 – 5 NIV, 2011 Translation).

Oh God, by the power of your Holy Spirit that dwells in every believer, let these prophetic words be proven true as we surrender our lives to You, for Your purposes and Your glory.

Thank you, Jesus, for the indescribable gift of Your Spirit. Today, help us to understand, in a deeper way, the magnitude of this gift and Your sacrifice that made this ‘giving’ a reality.

I pray this in the name of Jesus,

Amen

John Van Wagoner