Why I love Pentecost

Fifty days after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, his ragtag band of disciples gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot, the giving of Torah on Mt. Sinai. In the past seven weeks, each of them had had strange and unsettling encounters with Jesus, risen as he promised. I can only guess what must have been going through their head at the time.

Which brings us to Acts 2:1-4. From The Message:

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

They were given the gift of being guided by the spirit of God and able to communicate the extraordinary message of love and grace to all hearing their voice. Now that is cool.

The teaming masses in Jerusalem heard the disciples of Jesus and were puzzled. The educated and privileged often spoke several languages, but these Jesus freaks were merely Galilean roustabouts. There was a lot of whispering going on.

Then Peter took the microphone and gave a rocking first sermon (Acts 2:38-42). Talk about your alter calls:

Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.”

He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”

That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

The seed of faith planted by Peter sprouted and immediately took root in three thousand. In those days, that was a very big number.

So what happened with this Great Awakening in Jerusalem? The potential for rabble-rousing was there. You know the Roman legions were keeping on a wary eye on those Jesus freaks (Acts 2:43-47).

Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.

They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.

Look at how they lived. In peace and harmony. A true communion of spirit. They pooled their resources "so each person's need was met." No one wanted for anything. They were full of joy and gratitude. After the infusion of the Holy Spirit, the Jesus people attracted attention for all the right reasons.

We could use a bit more of that Pentecostal spirit in this nation with its culture that promotes greed, materialism, violence, vengeance, narcissism, and contempt for the vulnerable. A sick and stupid society if there ever was one.