Some time in the last year a friend asked asked me what Pentecost was about in Acts 2. The question wasn't "what happened at Pentecost in Acts 2?", but rather "why did Pentecost draw people to Jerusalem from all over the known world, as recorded in Acts 2"? Why didn't I know the answer to this?
Watching Lost right now, I don't get all the connections because I haven't been immersed in the show through all six seasons. I've caught some here, some there, even seen some out of context re-runs. The people that will feel tonight's finale the most will be those that rooted themselves in the story line, studying the characters and plot development, agonizing to understand the big picture and where the story is going to end. If you watched Lost tonight for the first time, I'm sure it was still entertaining, but if you have trouble understanding why your Lost fanatic friend was crying at critical moments remember this: They know the history.
So here is some history. Pentecost is a harvest festival that commemorates the giving of the ten commandments to Moses on Sinai...50 days after the Passover in Egypt. Salvation came first (Passover and deliverance from Egypt), 50 days later the giving of the law on Sinai when God descended on the mountain (the pattern for the future temple) with fire. Sound like anything? Yes, history surely adds understanding. Here is some more, courtesy of follow the rabbi...
So here is some history. Pentecost is a harvest festival that commemorates the giving of the ten commandments to Moses on Sinai...50 days after the Passover in Egypt. Salvation came first (Passover and deliverance from Egypt), 50 days later the giving of the law on Sinai when God descended on the mountain (the pattern for the future temple) with fire. Sound like anything? Yes, history surely adds understanding. Here is some more, courtesy of follow the rabbi...
- On Mount Sinai, God's presence was accompanied by fire, smoke, and the sound of thunder (Ex. 19:16-19). God's presence during Pentecost was accompanied by the sound of wind, tongues of fire, and the gift of different languages (Acts 2:1-3).
- When God gave the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai, the people were worshiping the golden calf. About 3,000 people died as punishment for their sins. When Jesus' Spirit was given during Pentecost, the people repented, and about 3,000 people believed and found spiritual life.
- God's presence was symbolized by a cloud and fire, which led the Israelites out of Egypt. Later, God moved his presence into the temple (2 Chron. 5:7-8, 13-14). During Pentecost, God's presence moved from the temple into a new temple, the followers of Jesus (Rom. 8:9).
- Finally, The Torah provided God's teachings for the Old Testament community of people. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit became the Teacher of believers (John 14:26).
- God's presence was symbolized by a cloud and fire, which led the Israelites out of Egypt. Later, God moved his presence into the temple (2 Chron. 5:7-8, 13-14). During Pentecost, God's presence moved from the temple into a new temple, the followers of Jesus (Rom. 8:9).
- Finally, The Torah provided God's teachings for the Old Testament community of people. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit became the Teacher of believers (John 14:26).
There are many more. I'll add one: "And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." - II Corinthians 3:3
Yes, Pentecost is important because it marks when the Holy Spirit was given to the church, when the Spirit of God came to take his Word beyond Israel to the whole world. But without knowing our history, specifically the story of Exodus, we miss the additional depth and power that come from knowing it was a replay, with a grace-filled twist, of a salvation event from 1400 years before.
Watching all the connections get made tonight on Lost, spanning six seasons, I appreciate the knowledge and creativity of the writers. How much more the author and perfecter of our faith, the one who invites us in to The Story, the story that will one day have a grand finale...with a very compelling spin-off.
Yes, Pentecost is important because it marks when the Holy Spirit was given to the church, when the Spirit of God came to take his Word beyond Israel to the whole world. But without knowing our history, specifically the story of Exodus, we miss the additional depth and power that come from knowing it was a replay, with a grace-filled twist, of a salvation event from 1400 years before.
Watching all the connections get made tonight on Lost, spanning six seasons, I appreciate the knowledge and creativity of the writers. How much more the author and perfecter of our faith, the one who invites us in to The Story, the story that will one day have a grand finale...with a very compelling spin-off.
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