Pentecost: A Special Birthday by Terri Gillespie

 “Seven weeks had gone by since Yeshua’s death and resurrection and the Day of Shavuot had now arrived. As the believers met together that day, suddenly there was a sound like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on their heads. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking languages they didn’t know, for the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”

Acts 2:1-4 (The Living Scriptures—Messianic Edition of the Living Bible)

Growing up in the church I never realized the birth of the “church” and “Christianity” actually began in the Jewish nation of Israel among the Jewish people.

Acts 2 speaks of a great outpouring of God’s spirit on the Jewish people as prophesied in Joel 2:28-29 (Acts 2:17).

A mighty wind. Tongues of fire. The infilling of the Holy Spirit. The gift of tongues. Miracles. Prophesy. Visions. Dreams. Sounds a lot like some of the revival going on around the world, but it occurred in the most precious city to the Jews, Jerusalem.

Thousands of Jewish people from other countries speaking other languages happened to be in Jerusalem during this miraculous move of God’s spirit. How was that possible? Was it a coincidence? No. They were simply adhering to God’s command written thousands of years ago—for such a time as this.

“From the day after the Sabbath [of or after Passover], the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord . . . this is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.” (Leviticus 23:15, 16, 21b)

God appointed three biblical festivals for which every Jewish male was to go to Jerusalem—no matter what country they were scattered to (Leviticus 23). That prophetic day nearly two thousand years ago was one of those three and is known by two names: Pentecost (Greek for 50 days) and Shavuot (Hebrew for Weeks).

Jesus commanded the disciples to go into the world and disciple the gentile nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:44-53; John 15:26; 17:13-19). He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem (despite the rising persecution) and wait for the Heavenly Father to imbue them with the Holy Spirit so that they could fulfill that command (Acts 1:7-8).

It was the Jewish people—thousands of them—that risked life and limb to go into the nations and bring pagan, idol worshippers to faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and His Right Arm, the Messiah to all the world, Yeshua.

The biblical festival of Shavuot required an offering of two loaves of bread, made with yeast as a wave offering before the Lord. Also the Lord requested a sacrifice of seven male lambs, one bull and two rams which were roasted for an aroma pleasing to God. Other sacrifices were offered for sin and for fellowship, a service was held and no regular work allowed (Leviticus 23:15-21).

What symbolism! Offerings for sin and fellowship and aromas that are pleasing to God; how easy to see the two loaves made with yeast (yeast represents sin) symbolizing the Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus.  Despite our imperfections God desires to use us for His glory. Our offerings in service to God are pleasing to Him despite our sinful flesh.

The holiday is busy with sacred animal offerings, a sober reminder that because of the sin of the world Jesus had to die. An innocent, perfect sacrifice.

Yet even in the midst of all the somberness there is also joy, praise and revival . . . and great food! What a wonderful celebration to bring to our homes and congregations.  As with all biblical festivals the day begins at sundown. Preparing the Shavuot meal generally begins that day. Some decorate the house with greenery or flowers as a reminder of the harvest. Like the Shabbat (Sabbath) celebration, the table is covered with white linen and set with the best china and silver. Also like Shabbat, there are candles, challah (special sweet bread braided—some even have two loaves), and wine/grape juice.

Before lighting the candles the lady of the house says this blessing:

Baruch atah Adonai Elohenu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu bead varo, v’natan-lanu et Yeshua m’shechaynu, vitzi vanu l’heot or la-olam.

Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the universe, You have sanctified with Your Word, given us Yeshua as our Messiah and command us to be a light to the world.

Baruch atah Adonai Elohenu melech ha-olam, she-he-chiyanu v’kiya-manu lazman hazeh.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us and brought us to this season.

Dinner consists of lots of dairy dishes to symbolize how God’s Word is our milk in this life.

What an honor to share in the heritage of God’s people of the Book. To share our faith with believers in the Jewish Messiah to all the world, whether Jewish, Arab or Gentile—Yeshua (Jesus).

May the same Spirit that raised Yeshua from the dead and came upon those in Jerusalem so long ago, refresh, renew and revive you and your family.

Read More About It: God’s Appointed Times, by Messianic Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Lederer Ministries, 1993, 2007.

RECIPE:

Do you love dairy, then you’ll love this!

Good Old Fashioned Cheesecake

Ingredients

5 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, softened

2 c. of finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

1/2 c. of butter, melted

1 tsp. of finely shredded rind of lemons, optional

5 eggs

2 egg yolks

1/3 c. of whipping cream

1 3/4 c. of sugar

2 tbsp. of all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. of vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix graham crackers and melted butter well. Then press to the bottom of a cheesecake pan.

In a bowl mix in the cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla. Be sure to beat this with a mixer until creamy and fluffy. Add eggs and egg yolk, mix on low until creamy. Last add in whipped cream and lemon peel. Pour batter into pan.

Bake at 325 degrees approx. -1/2 hr. Let cheesecake cool for around 15-20 min. Use a knife to loosen crust from side of pan.

Then chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

NEXT TIME: Is Revival Really Happening in Israel?