Shavuot/Pentecost--Growing in the Lord

Shavuot/Pentecost--Growing in the Lord

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            Shavuot or Pentecost is the third of the Levitical Feasts which required all Jewish men to bring an offering to the Temple in Jerusalem.  As we continue to look more closely at the Feast Days, we gain an understanding of the importance of the days that God has designated as His appointed times. 

Shavuot is the Hebrew word for weeks. There are seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot.  The Feast takes place exactly 50 days after Passover. The Greek word for the holiday is Pentecost, which means 50.  50 is the number of Jubilee, symbolizing restoration and newness of life.  In ancient Israel, every 50^th year was a Year of Jubilee.  Debts were canceled and land was returned to its original owner.  It was a time of celebrating freedom in the Kingdom of God.  It is always jubilee for Christians because Jesus has paid our sin debt and set us free.  

Shavuot celebrates the first fruit of the wheat harvest.  Passover is the celebration of the first fruit of the barley harvest.  The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates the harvest of the fruit of the land.  God’s plan is all about harvest. On Shavuot, the first fruits, Bikkurim, were brought into the temple in decorated baskets.

As we study the historical events that occurred on Shavuot, we discern a pattern of growing in our relationship with the Lord.  It was on that day, 1500 years before Christ, that God gave Moses the law on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are God’s directives to an abundant life in Him.  When we are obedient, life is less stressful, we are more victorious and more open to all the blessings that God has in store for us.  In synagogues all over the world, Shavuot is celebrated by reading the 10 Commandments.

It was also on that day, fifty days after the crucifixion of Jesus, that God sent His Holy Spirit to fall upon 120 disciples who were praying in Jerusalem.  Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
¹ When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

            Notice the pattern.  The disciples were in Jerusalem because Jesus had told them to stay there until they had received the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:1-5)  They were obedient.  They were in one accord and in one place.  They were in unity.  Then they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. First comes obedience to the Lord and unity within the body. Then the power of the Holy Spirit comes.

The same God that appeared to His people on Mount Sinai in fire and glory (Exodus 19:18), appeared to those waiting in the upper room, manifested His power once again in fire and then filled them with His Spirit.

Messianic Rabbi K.A. Schneider of the television ministry Discovering the Jewish Jesus writes, “At Pentecost/Shavuot God went from reaching us through tablets of stone, to touching us by His Spirit in our hearts. God’s relationship with man has moved from the outer to the inner, and because of this we are eternally empowered to move forward in our relationship with Him.”

The power of Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is available today in the same measure as it was in the Upper Room.  God has empowered us for victory.