 The Spiritual Reality Behind The Feast of Pentecost
Summary
Shavuot—the Feast of Harvest or Weeks was originally established to be a celebration of the fullness of the harvest. On this day, Moses received the Law—God’s covenant. So it has become a celebration of Torah—or giving of God’s covenant word. It would be God’s word that would guide God’s people through a life of faith—dependent on God; and distinguished from the pagan nations of the world. Moses therefore reminded the people that God provided manna in the wilderness to prove an important point: “He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”
(Deuteronomy 8:3-4) Messiah quoted this very scripture when tempted by Satan in the wilderness right before embarking on His ministry. (Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4)
As the disciples were celebrating Shavuot, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as recorded in Acts 2. God’s covenant Word connected with His Spirit and 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: "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth..” (Isaiah 59:21 NKJV)
So, full independence in God would be expressed by depending on God’s Word breathed by His Spirit—the Holy Spirit. This is what Messiah communicated towards the end of His ministry in the upper room.
12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative but will say only what he hears. He will also announce to you the events of the future. 14 He will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and announce it to you. (John 16:12-14 JNT)
It is also what Paul had in mind in expressing what liberty in Messiah is about. “What the Messiah has freed us for is freedom! Therefore, stand firm, and don’t let yourselves be tied up again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1 JNT)
As Messiah has discharged us from the debt to the law of sin and fully acquitted us from the guilt of the effects of sin, we are truly fully empowered to walk in the Spirit of liberty! However, it’s one thing to know that you are free from the power of sin. It’s another thing to be able to walk free from the dominion of sin.
This happens as your heart and mind become regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It happens as your desire to rule over sin overpowers your desire to walk under the sway of sin: the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and pride of life. Such desires abate, though we will continue to battle our fleshly nature.
This is what Messiah meant in declaring, “He who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it safe right on into eternal life!” (John 12:25 JNT) He was referring to the life absorbed in serving the desires of the flesh. He was referring to a life where the nature and orientation of your heart undergoes a vital change. It changes from being more absorbed with satisfying its self-interests to satisfying and serving God’s interests.
This transformation occurs by the power of the Holy Spirit. For, the Spirit enlightens your mind to truth, sanctifies your heart and nature, and regenerates and transforms your life. It is truly liberating! It liberates you in Messiah. You become free and independent in Messiah; yet dependent on the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to resist the carnal nature of the flesh and be freed from its pulls.
Will you encounter temptations to satisfy selfish and fleshly interests and desires? Most certainly! Will you stumble? At times—probably yes. The key is setting your heart against the types of things you know you must resist; setting your mind against the weaknesses you know cause you to stumble; and praying daily for God’s grace to “lead you not into temptation.” And always, be humble and grateful for His mercy.
Life Application Questions
How conscious are you of the pulls of your carnal nature? How do you receive the conviction of sin from the Holy Spirit? Do you feel guilty and condemned when convicted; or set free by the power of repentance and gift of Messiah’s forgiveness and peace of the Spirit? Have you resolved to loathe the self-absorbed nature? Are you aware of God’s interests and desires as they relate to your life? Do you find joy in serving God’s interests?
Scripture References
John 12-17; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 2; Galatians 5-6
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 23-27; 121-132; 140-141; 164-173
Sons and Servants: p. 9-11; 82-86
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