Shavuot 2012
Just as
Jesus perfectly fulfilled the first three feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread
and First Fruits, the Holy Spirit came precisely on time and fulfilled the Feast
of Weeks. Shavuot means “weeks” and begins
seven weeks after Passover. In Jewish
tradition it is the remembrance of God giving the Torah. Christians call it Pentecost, or “Fifty” and
see it as the birth of the Church.
In the book
of Acts, the first Believers were praying in an upper room on Shavuot and Holy
Spirit came into the room, baptizing them with tongues of fire that empowered
them to witness on the streets of Jerusalem
about the Resurrection of Jesus. This
was a direct fulfillment of the promise Jesus had given that they would be
filled with power. They were changed
from a fearful, hiding band of men and women to an energized, bold fire-brand
that operated under the direction and power of Holy Spirit. The result: thousands of people were added to
the Body of Christ overnight!
This coming
week Pentecost (Shavuot) will be celebrated on May 26 at sundown. It is marked in Jewish circles by staying up
all night reading Torah and the book of Ruth (in remembrance that David is a
direct descendant of Ruth). Messianic
believers in Israel
are calling the Church to a renewed Pentecost by spending the night in prayer
inviting Holy Spirit to come and fulfill Joel 2:28-29. Yes, this was fulfilled in Acts 2—Peter uses
Joel 2 as the basis to explain the strange behavior of the freshly baptized
Believers. But the total fulfillment of
Joel 2 has yet to happen. Holy Spirit
will be poured out on “all mankind” in “the last days”. We believe we are living in those last
days. There is a Messianic remnant
living in Israel
again. Expectancy is growing, as it did
in that upper room.
Our prayer
is “Come, Holy Spirit, baptize us afresh with the power to witness about Jesus
Christ to our world that is lost and dying.
We need You. Come, overwhelm us
with Your Presence. Remove the fear of
man from our hearts. Embolden us with a
fresh fire that will draw all men into the Kingdom of God.”
Join us
this week in praying for this outpouring of Holy Spirit. Gather with other Believers and pray
expectantly! The Father earnestly
desires to pour out His Spirit on those who ask for Him (Luke 11:13)!
