30/06/2022
THE PENTECOST AND THE PLENTIFUL HARVEST
The most significant event many people attach Pentecost with is the day of the fulfilment of the gift of the Holy Spirit who descended on the disciples at the upper room. So, when you ask someone, especially a Christian what Pentecost is, it won't be surprising to hear that Pentecost was the day when the Holy Spirit came. As much as this is very correct, pentecost has an historical dimension predating the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Traditionally in Jewish tradition, Pentecost was one of the feast days. Only they didn't call it Pentecost. That's the Greek name. The Jews called it the Feast of Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. It is mentioned in five places in the first five books — in Exodus 23, Exodus 24, Leviticus 16, Numbers 28, and Deuteronomy 16. It was the celebration of the beginning of early HARVEST of wheat which comes fifty days after the feast of the first fruits during PASSOVER, a Jewish festival that marks the beginning of the Jewish year.
Traditionally, PENTECOST WAS A PILGRIM FESTIVAL which require according to the law, all the adult Jewish men to come from wherever they were living to Jerusalem and personally be in attendance during this celebration. Similarly, PENTECOST WAS A HOLIDAY. No servile work was to be done. Schools were out. The shops were closed. It was a day to celebrate. These account for the crowd that made Peter's audience in Acts 2.
The traditional day of Pentecost being the celebration of early harvest was a perfect day for the coming of the Holy Spirit who is the power behind the harvest of souls. It was a day a large number of people would have access to the word of grace that brings them salvation. The power of the Holy spirit was so much at work that 3,000 people were ‘harvested’ into the church: people from different tribes and tongues, Act 2:41. What a day!
However, Jesus has a concern. Really? Yes, he does. In Matthew 9:37-38 “...he (said) unto his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest’.” THERE IS THE NEED FOR LABOURERS who will work in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring the plentiful harvest into God's kingdom.
Brethren, would you consider yourself one of the labourers? Please, don't hesitate to swing into action: go for the harvest! Or are you yet to receive the power of the Holy Spirit? In Luke 11:13, Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” DESIRE the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; ASK God for the release and you shall be imparted.
Then, in this power of the Holy Spirit, let’s go to the whole world, starting from your circle of influence to preach the gospel. May the Lord of harvest bless us and uphold us in His love in Jesus name.
Your brother,
Temitope A. Adeyemi