2:41 Then those who
gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls
were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine
and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
7 weeks before this it appeared that the entire nation was
against Jesus. With mob like frenzy they cried "Crucify Him!"
Mobs are a strange phenomenon. In recent years it has become
all too common for sports fans to pour out into the streets after a huge win or
loss in the playoffs and start lighting fires and overturning cars and
generally wreaking havoc. Normal everyday people get caught up in the nonsense
and do things they would never normally do.
7 weeks earlier this same crowd had come to Jerusalem for
Passover and now they are back for Pentecost. 7 weeks ago they participated in
the death of Jesus. Now three thousand are getting baptized and joining The
Way. What happened? Can seven weeks make that much difference? In a word - no.

A figure as controversial as Jesus left many people secretly
undecided. They couldn't figure Him out. He was so different. So intense. So
kind. So obviously extraordinary. On the other hand He was so unorthodox. So
unlike everything they had been taught to expect. So unlike the religious
leaders. It was all so confusing.
Seven weeks earlier it finally came to a head. Passover
became an execution. Many if not most in the crowd were still unsure but they
got caught up in the mass hysteria. Surely so many people couldn't be wrong...
right? That's why Jesus prayed "Forgive them Father for they don't know
what they are doing."
Now seven weeks later much has happened and the rumors of His
resurrection have circulated widely. The miraculous strange events of that Passover
Friday would never leave their memories. Pitch black at noon. An earthquake
like they had never experienced. The dead coming alive from their tombs. I
wonder how the Sadducees, the largest and most political sect of the Jews who
taught there was no life after death explained that one?
For the past seven weeks the entire nation has been in tumult
and confusion. No longer could anyone deny that He was Someone and something
was happening of deep significance. Then Pentecost came. The feast of the first
fruits. The time every year when the first ripe produce was gleaned from the
fields and offered to God as a thank offering for His constant provision.
As the awoke that morning a mighty wind ripped through the
city. Buildings shook. Fire came down and rested on the 120 gathered in a room
waiting for the Promise. Peter addressed the crowd who flooded into the streets
to see what was happening. God brought the crowd. Jesus had prepared them. His
Spirit had been speaking to them.
As Peter spoke the puzzle pieces flew together. The confusion
was washed away. Suddenly it all made sense. Jesus was not a madman. He was not
a religious fanatic set on destroying the faith of their fathers. He was the
Lamb of God. He was the Son of God. He was the ram caught in the thorns that
took the place of Isaac. He was the bread of life come down from heaven. He was
the fulfillment of all that Moses and the prophets wrote about.
As the hymn writer wrote: What a Day, Glorious Day That Will
Be!
No comments:
Post a Comment