Finding the Significance of Jubilation in the Lord by Relating with God through the Lord’s Feast of Pentecost

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Pentecost, is unique in its significance:

  • It marked the end of the barley harvest, and beginning of the wheat harvest—or “fullness” of the harvest.
  • It marked the day the covenant law and instruction was given to Moses.
  • It marked the time the Holy Spirit fell upon the Messiah’s disciples.

Celebrated 50 days after Passover, the Feast of Pentecost has special significance.  God appointed this time to serve to link the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt to the giving of God’s covenant law. It, therefore, serves as a reminder that the redemption from bondage was not fully complete until God’s people had received the fullness of God’s covenant.

RELEVANCE

The number 50 signifies a time of jubilee. This signified a legal cancellation of debts and personal restoration of land according to the covenant. However, the Feast of Pentecost foreshadows a special time of jubilee.

Following Messiah’s resurrection, the disciples had been spending time with one another in prayers and devotion. While they were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles according to their custom, a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind came and filled the whole house. The disciples experienced a new and huge pour of God’s love as they were “filled with the Spirit.” Acts 2 records the story.

So on Shavuot or the Feast of Pentecost, their lives were transformed by the Holy Spirit! God’s Word connected with His Spirit in amazing ways. It brought completion—or fullness—to the revelation of God’s covenant. It, therefore, brought fulfillment to Isaiah’s prophecy expressing the fullness of God’s covenant.  (Isaiah 59:21)

They also came to a new understanding of God’s love and what the Lord meant by “a fountain of water” that would spring up within and bring refreshing new life.

Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14)

Our understanding of our significance in life becomes magnified once the reality of the love of God and Holy Spirit’s infilling becomes real to us. In fact, it will change your life! It’s a matter of growing into the fullness of this revelation as you continue to receive refreshment and truth from the Holy Spirit.

REFLECT AND RELATE

In what ways do you celebrate—and express gratefulness—for the magnitude of the covenant grace gifts God has given you—His Word and Spirit; especially the gifts of the Spirit? (see Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12-13)

What new values has God impressed you to embrace this season?

What new vision has God imparted in you to give you greater insights?

What virtues of Christ have you received to walk in the new life in Him?

REFERENCES

Leviticus 23:15-22; Exodus 23:16; 34:22; Exodus 19:1-24; Acts 2:1-47; Acts 19:1-7

NEXT STEPS

Vertical movement: As you see the significance of the Feast of Pentecost fulfilled by Messiah through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Lord will bring you deeper understanding. You will come to experience the fullness of God’s covenant in a real living way.

Horizontal movement: As you come to understand God’s concept of jubilation, you will be better positioned to understand what Paul meant by the term and process of the ministry of reconciliation.

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