Multinational reach
by Ruth Olsen
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Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven (Acts 2:5).
Read Acts 2:1–21
Devout Jews from different parts of the world were in Jerusalem, either visiting or currently resident. When they suddenly heard the violent wind – without the warnings a large storm or cyclone would give – understandably, they were bewildered. ‘What is that?’ ‘What’s happening?’ If you were there, what would you be thinking? Perhaps you would have joined the gathering crowd, curious about what was happening. And then heard those simple Galileans speaking in languages they surely had not learnt!
What an amazing entrance when God poured out his Spirit on all humankind! There could be no human explanation for that happening! The visitors to Jerusalem came from all over the Middle East and from Rome, there were Jews, converts to Judaism and Arabs. A dynamic connection happened through them hearing these simple Galileans declaring the wonders of God in all these different languages. God always has the right timing for things he brings about!
Of course, some cynical voices said these simple Galileans had had too much wine. Yet if they had seen the tongues of fire on these followers of The Way, surely they would have wondered what it meant? And, apparently, on a festival day such as Pentecost, a devout Jew would not break their fast until at least 10am.
There needed to be an explanation for these bewildering 9am happenings. Peter stood up and raised his voice to do just that. Starting by saying that it was too early to be drunk, he declared that what was happening was what Joel had prophesied several hundred years earlier (Joel 2:28–32) – ‘in the last days’, God would pour out his Spirit on all people on earth, Jews and non-Jews, irrespective of sex, age or rank. Everyone – that means anyone – who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!
Because of Jesus, and through Jesus, the door has been opened for all to be brought back into right relationship with God by the power of the Spirit of God at work in human hearts. What an invitation!
Father, surely ‘all people’ also means those who do not yet acknowledge Jesus? Please open the ears, eyes and hearts of more people everywhere to Jesus. Amen.
Ruth and her husband Steen have notched up their 50th anniversary this year. By the time you read this devotion, they will be exploring the beauties of creation somewhere in Europe on a long-delayed adventure, trying to put to use some of the French Ruth has been learning in recent years.
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